Employment Transition Services in Place for Abitibi Employees

The Ministerial Task Force established to respond to the closure of the Abitibi Bowater Mill in Grand Falls-Windsor today announced new services to help impacted workers and their families. Extending from January�s information sessions, the task force through the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE) has established a team of 18 labour market adjustment specialists from the central region. They are available to provide a full-range of individualized labour market adjustment services including; career counselling, transition supports, job search skills, resume writing, skills assessment and training, and other supports.

�I recognize workers have many questions, and we are here to help,� said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. �If workers have questions regarding the impact pension or severance may have on their ability to access funding for training, or wonder about how to receive possible credit for past work experience to reduce the need for re-training, we can help. We are also able to assist if a worker wishes to explore ways to receive recognition for past work experience when contemplating new employment opportunities. These and many other issues can be addressed by calling or visiting our Career Work Centres (CWC). We strongly urge workers and family members to visit us as soon as possible.�

Beginning today, HRLE is encouraging all affected Abitibi workers to access these services through the HRLE Career Work Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor on 42 Hardy Avenue or the centre in Lewisporte on 224 Main Street.

�Over the past several months, the Provincial Government has worked very closely with union leaders, company workers and community partners to ensure that the needs of those impacted by the mill�s closure are satisfied,� said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Chair of the Ministerial Task Force and Minister of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �Supporting the people is a prime objective of the Ministerial Task Force, as is supporting local efforts to identify opportunities that help strengthen the communities impacted by the mill�s closure. Our focus is on supporting regional priorities that grow local economies on a short and long term perspective.�

HRLE is working closely with federal, community and industry partners to leverage resources and ensure appropriate supports are in place to assist workers affected by the closure of the mill.

Career Work Centres are in place to assist individuals with their employment transition. A CWC is fully equipped with computers, Internet access and other resources to help a worker conduct a job search. In addition to assessment and referral to retraining services, staff at a CWC can help workers avail of a number of career and employment services to fully explore their options. These include professional staff to help with career planning, resume writing, supported work search, interview preparation, labour market information and individual counseling. Career Work Centres provide the most recent labour market information, local and provincial job postings, newspapers and a variety of employment related audio-visual and print resources. By the end of March, HRLE will open two new sites in Springdale and Stephenville.

�For our loggers, stevedores and silviculture workers we recognize the immediate concerns; therefore, my department has mobilized the necessary staff and resources to provide one-on-one career and employment counselling and related services through our existing Career Work Centres,� said Minister Sullivan. �The sooner that our staff can meet with affected workers, the more quickly we can help; so I encourage these workers in particular to take this important next step and have a conversation with our staff to get a plan started.�

For information on career and employment services available through HRLE, hours of operation or to obtain information on other services in your area, please contact our Labour Market and Career Information Hotline:
Toll-free: 1-800-563-6600
Hearing Impaired TTY: 1-866-729-4685
Website: www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/
E-mail: LMCIHotline@gov.nl.ca

Chaired by Minister Skinner, the Ministerial Committee also includes Minister Sullivan, the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources; the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education; the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works; the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. The committee will provide direction and oversee the interdepartmental committee, along with support for diversification initiatives of the region.

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