CARAVAN JOBS NUMBERS UP
Victoria’s caravan industry contributed more
than $2 billion to the state’s economy in 2017
– and employed 6600 Victorians in caravan
manufacturing, retail, repair and servicing.
Figures released by the Caravan Industry
Association of Victoria (CIA Vic), the peak
body for Victoria’s caravan industry, show the
industry has created 1450 new jobs in the six
years from 2011.
CIA Vic Chief Executive Officer, Rob Lucas,
said there had been a 28 per cent increase in
jobs over six years, bringing the 2017 total to
6587 jobs.
“Manufacturing accounts for 4123 of these
jobs, in sharp contrast with the decline in other
sectors such as the car industry,” he said.
“Overall, we have achieved average annual
jobs growth of more than 4.6 per cent for six
years, well ahead of overall state and national
employment figures.
“Our total contribution to the state’s
economy has grown by 50 per cent, from $1.4
billion in 2011 to $ 2.1 billion in 2017.
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“This amazing growth is due partly to
increasing production, and partly to the
increasingly luxurious, premium-priced vans
favoured by Australians.”
Mr Lucas said the industry comprised more
than 1000 individual enterprises with an annual
payroll of $330 million and a total value-add of
$680 million.
He said caravans were helping to sustain
Victoria’s tradition as the manufacturing
heartland of Australia, with 90 per cent of all
Australian-made recreational vehicles built in
Victoria.
“Our industry’s growth is being driven by
the Victorian Caravan and Camping Industry
Blueprint, which we created in 2012,” he said.
“The blueprint laid out ambitious targets
for training and industry standards, and has
enjoyed the support of successive state
governments, notably the Departments of
Economic Development, Education & Training,
and Tourism.”