Web posted
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Looking for workers
Local officials recruiting laid off workers in Emporia
Cowley First will participate in a job fair in Emporia on Feb. 16 along with area business representatives, in response to the recent layoff of 1500 employees at the Emporia Tyson Foods plant.
Debra Teufel, Cowley First director is coordinating an effort with local businesses and partners.
Cowley First, the Cowley Workforce Center and the local Chambers of Commerce already have contacted several local businesses interested in attending.
According to Janet Siebert of the Arkansas City Area Chamber, Creekstone Farms will be in Emporia this week as well.
"This is one way we can collaborate to address our local workforce needs as well as helping fellow Kansans in need," said Teufel.
Cowley First has registration information for the limited number of spaces available at the job fair which will be held from 1-4 p.m. at the Flint Hills Technical College on Feb. 16th. Teufel will also provide information on housing and jobs on behalf of employers that cannot attend.
Individual businesses or community ambassadors that wish to participate should contact Cowley First at 221-9951 or 442-3094 or email dteufel@cowleycounty.org.
"We know as a community what it is like to have employees displaced due to plant closures during the last decade. A layoff of this magnitude is more than 10 percent of the Emporia area's jobs. As a community, we know the pain that Emporia is feeling and we hope that many of their employees will be able to find other opportunities within the Emporia area. Cowley County will be there to support those families if they have a need to relocate. Emporia has assembled a tremendous team with resources from many agencies that are coming to the aid of these families," Teufel said.
Tyson recently announced that they are laying off 1,500 of its 2,400 employees in Emporia. In response the Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Flint Hills Technical College and Workforce Center are coordinating an effort to allow businesses and partners across the state the opportunity to meet with the dislocated workers. According to reports, there are approximately 50 businesses already participating. Other communities such as Manhattan, Hutchinson, and Great Bend may be attending.
Teufel spoke with Emporia officials this week and while they hope to be able to retain as many of these families as possible, they are welcoming the support that other Kansas communities can provide in helping find placement and assistance for the workers.
"During the last year, our biggest challenge has been finding a skilled workforce for our existing Cowley County employers. By coordinating an effort with our businesses, we look forward to the chance to showcase the opportunities available locally, as well as providing information about our quality schools and communities to families that need to relocate."
Cowley First has sponsored previous workforce recruitment campaigns. However, with low unemployment rates in south-central Kansas, it has been challenging to continue to fill area job vacancies, especially with the number of Cowley County employers that have added several hundred jobs during the last year alone. While employment opportunities have been on the rise, our population growth has not kept up with the needs of our employers. In November, Cowley First and the Chambers of Commerce unveiled the new Cowley County Community Guide which will be distributed at the job fair highlighting information about housing, education and employment across Cowley County.
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