SHATTERED Avalon workers say they will weigh up their futures in the Geelong region after losing specialist jobs with Qantas. Months of negotiations ­between the airline and governments failed to save the jobs of 53 Qantas workers and 246 contractors with the company's Avalon heavy maintenance facility, which will close in March. The news was another blow for an area still reeling from Ford's announcement it would close manufacturing operations in 2016. Premier Denis Napthine insisted the government had been "fighting hard" for workers at Avalon, and that it was investing in industries where new jobs were emerging in the Geelong region. But Avalon worker Peter Ryan, 49, said he would be leaving Geelong. "We'll all struggle to find work here now," Mr Ryan said. I'm lucky I've worked in other industries, but there are a lot of younger blokes who will find it tough. Airport employee Sammy Buttigieg offered to hand in his long-service leave to stay on. Yeah, it's devastating. Next year is not going to be easy," Mr Buttigieg said. We've lost a lot of good guys here. It's really one big family and that's the saddest thing about leaving. It's shattering, really, but I guess it's not a surprise. Avalon worker Peter Ryan says he will be leaving Geelong. As well as moving jobs to Brisbane maintenance facilities, Qantas said it would look overseas to maintain its remaining ­Boeing 747s. Domestic chief executive Lyell Strambi said there was not enough work to retain the Avalon base, but "we will continue to do heavy maintenance on around 110 aircraft at our main base in Brisbane." "We will also examine specialist 747 maintenance providers, including Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK and the US," he said. Australian Workers' Union Victorian secretary Ben Davis said Qantas had "broken the hearts of workers" in a part of Victoria "that can't afford any more bad news." "This facility didn't have to close, and Qantas should be ashamed of themselves," he said. Airport worker Sammy Buttigieg says the job losses were not a surprise. Dr Napthine said it was a "disappointing decision," but pointed to emerging aviation jobs, including 100 at Jetstar's Dreamliners headquarters and 100 at AMSA. "There's transition in the airline industry - unfortunate for the people of Qantas, ­although Qantas are advising they are seeking to relocate staff," Dr Napthine said. Opening a new budget Tune Hotel in Melbourne, he said the government had been "fighting hard" for Avalon workers, but would not say whether financial incentives were put on the table during negotiations with Qantas. Victorian shadow treasurer Tim Pallas said employees were so keen to stay on they tried to take three months off without pay. "It's about time Denis Napthine showed he was genuinely concerned," Mr Pallas said. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the news was "tragic" for workers, but "these are decisions that businesses do have to make from time to time."