Employment counselling, information sessions, job fair planned as officials work on broader recovery strategy
On Friday, Sept. 25, Nackawic Mayor Tim Fox and stakeholders met with Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Jean-Claude D’Amours and Minister of Local Government Aaron Kennedy to chart an action plan for the community.
AV Group NB announced that it is temporarily closing the AV Nackawic pulp mill, which employs about 350 people.
“We recognize the need to act quickly to support the Nackawic area,” said D’Amours.
“We’re working with local officials, the pulp mill’s union, the employer, and unionized and non-unionized employees to find out what people need now and how we can help in the weeks and months ahead.”
The short-term plan is for the committee to coordinate among all stakeholders to support affected workers during the planned closure. Then, they will look for solutions and develop ideas to ensure a quick and lasting economic recovery for the region.
Some of the work in progress includes:
· A booth has been set up in the Nackawic Shopping Mall to provide information and schedule employment counselling, which will be available starting Monday.
· Information sessions with Service Canada and the department are set for next week; a session for union members will be held Tuesday at the union hall, while an event for non-members will be held Thursday at the mill.
· Another date will be set for union members who cannot attend Tuesday’s session.
· A job fair is being organized, with details to be released once they are finalized.
Anglophone West School District is also introducing measures to help the children of families affected by the mill closure. The district will offer counselling support and financial assistance to waive or significantly reduce school fees for the 588 students attending three schools in the community.
“We are pleased with the government’s response and the speed that they are getting things moving, considering it has only been a little over a week since the mill made their announcement.” said Fox.
