The forum followed a tour of the Keech Australia premises which Senator Carr said was an example of Bendigo’s strong future in the manufacturing industry.

“I wanted to make sure I got to see them up close just to see the reasons why they’ve been so successful,” he said.

“They’re international leaders and they’re able to produce new products, designed here in Bendigo and manufactured here in Bendigo, and shipped all over the world.

“This is a remarkable achievement for a firm which is able to show the rest of the country what can be done.”

While in Bendigo Senator Carr addressed the issue of older workers struggling to crack the tight jobs market.

Local man Rob Moloney knows first hand how difficult it can be for older workers to re-enter the workforce.

When open heart surgery put an end to a 23 year career in juvenile justice with the Department of Human Services, Mr Moloney found his age was an issue.

“I spent 12 months at home recovering and then had a look around and it was pretty hard to find a job,” he said.

The 64-year-old eventually got lucky and found work driving school buses in Kyneton through a personal connection.

“At 64 no one wants to know you,” he said.

“They want you to work till 70 but the funny part is no one wants to employ anyone in their 60s.”

Senator Carr said investment in adult apprenticeships was an example of how older workers would not be left behind in the future economy.

“We are committed to ensuring that we have the combination of support that I think government is obliged to make to ensure we attract investment and attract the high skill, high wage jobs for the future,” he said.

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the senator’s shadow portfolio covered the key areas in creating future jobs for the region.

“Today it was great to be able to take the senator out to Keech Australia, for me they are the definition of innovation,” she said.