The Huron County Economic Development team gave a positive report for their coordinated response to temporary layoffs for employees of the WesCast Industries Site in Wingham.
Workforce Coordinator Oonagh Vaucrosson gave a presentation to council during the August 16th meeting saying that the department has been working with workers that were affected by the layoffs, as well as service providers form the Centre for Employment and Learning (CEL) in Wigham, and a representative from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade (MEDJCT).
Wescast had confirmed that as of the end of July 2023, they’d be shutting down foundry operations, which would impact 150 employees and could last up to two years.
As a response, the department collaborated with the Township of North Huron to host a job fair, which was attended by more than 80 workers from WesCast, as well as 20 others from the community.
Vaucrosson also shared that the county helped host support events, which included focus on mental health and job readiness.
She also says that there will be another job fair in the fall to help other displaced workers.
