A Redundancy Support and Jobs Fair will be held early in Aberdeen early next month as part of a partnership 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’s ABZWorks team is leading on delivery of event as part of the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) response to support the workforce.
The event, at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom on 10 October, follows a rapid response PACE advice and support session which took place yesterday (29 September).
It will include PACE partners offering a broad range of 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.
Aberdeen City Council Capital Programme Committee Convener Councillor Christian Allard 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 co-chair Jennifer Noble of Skills Development Scotland said: “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.”
PACE is a Scottish Government response to redundancy situations, led by Skills Development Scotland. Aberdeen City Council is a PACE partner, alongside DWP, Business Gateway, NESCol, Aberdeenshire Council, CAB, and Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen, and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
The Redundancy Support and Jobs Fair is open to anyone who has been made redundant and is seeking advice about the support available to them and to get back into work. While it is anticipated the majority of attendees to be former employees of Arjo Wiggins, others are welcome to attend.
It will take place at the Beach Ballroom on Monday, 10 October from 10am until 2pm. Entry is free and those interested can apply online.
Employers with vacancies to fill who would like to take a stand at the event should email abzworks@aberdeencity.gov.uk There is no charge for stand space and interview space will be made available.