A redundancy support and jobs fair will be held in Aberdeen next month as part of a response to the Arjo Wiggins Stoneywood Mill closure.
More than 300 people have lost their jobs as a result of the business going into administration. Aberdeen City Council revealed that its ABZWorks team is leading on delivery of this event as part of the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) response to support the workforce.
The event, at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom on October 10, follows a PACE advice and support session which took place earlier this week. It will include PACE partners offering advice and support on topics including employability support, finance, welfare, and benefits advice.
The main focus of the event will be on jobs. Employers from across a range of industries and sectors will be present, with some offering the chance for interviews on the day. Attendees are advised to bring copies of their CVs.
Councillor Christian Allard, Aberdeen City Council capital programme committee convener, said, “It is recognised that redundancy can have a profound effect on individuals and can be akin to a grieving process. It can negatively impact on physical and mental health, as well as the broader welfare and of course has significant financial impacts on people and their families. My thoughts are with the Arjo Wiggins employees and others affected by redundancy.
“It is important that we act quickly to support people affected by redundancy to move back into employment as quickly as possible to minimise these negative impacts, as well as to reduce the risk of skill loss and people moving down the labour line.
“The response from local employers and PACE partners has been fantastic and I am optimistic that the partnership will be able to support a significant number of the Arjo Wiggins staff back into employment.”
Grampian PACE chair Jennifer Noble of Skills Development Scotland added, “We are working closely with PACE partners to support the Arjo Wiggins workforce as they navigate redundancy and look to their future employment. The PACE Redundancy Support and Jobs Fair is one of a number of events and actions being delivered to help the Stoneywood Mill workforce.
“The work of the partnership is essential to providing the appropriate and adequate support to people facing redundancy and I welcome their involvement and rapid response to this unfortunate situation.”
