Local workers are leading the way on one of Victoria’s most important major projects – the expansion of the Melbourne Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

This project will see around 700 workers – including up to 60 apprentices – work on the project during construction.

Under the Government’s Local Jobs First – Victorian Industry Participation Policy, projects worth more than $50 million are required to use local firms, materials, expertise and skills.

There is a pipeline of more than 30 current and upcoming major projects, with a combined value of $16 billion, which will support 10,600 current and new jobs.

The expanded MCEC will be open for business in the middle of this year, bringing thousands of additional visitors to Victoria each year and adding more than 900 new ongoing jobs across the precinct.

The expansion will add nearly 20,000 square metres of multi-purpose event space, including 9,000 metres of new exhibition halls, meeting rooms and banquet rooms.