New jobs for axed factory workers

9:28am Tuesday 18th November 2008

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MORE than half of the workers who have lost their jobs at a doomed North-East cooker factory have found employment, The Northern Echo has learnt.

Last December, Electrolux announced its plant in Spennymoor, County Durham, would close with the loss of 500 jobs, following a twomonth review of operations.

More than half of the 232 staff who have since left in two tranches – in February and at the end of July – are now in work elsewhere.

Taking into consideration those who are retraining or have retired, as well as those who have found alternative employment, about 75 per cent of the 232 workers are now considered “settled”.

A small portion of the remainder – from those still actively seeking work – remain unemployed.

Others are thought to have chosen to take a career break, with the aid of what have been described as “enhanced”

redundancy packages.

Following the announcement that Electrolux was consolidating cooker production in Poland, a task force to help people find work was set up in Spennymoor – an area hard hit by factory closures.

Outplacement firm Right Management was also drafted in by Electrolux to provide advice and help on the practicalities of job searching.

Simon Thomas, human resources manager at the Spennymoor factory, said that in spite of the general air of uncertainty over the economy and gloomy predictions for the manufacturing sector, many leavers were continuing to find work locally.

He said: “Yes it’s tough out there, but most of our redundant employees are highlyskilled, well-trained and hardworking.

The slowing global economy is obviously having an impact, but it would be absolutely wrong to think that unemployment is all our workforce have to look forward to.

“This region’s manufacturing sector – which is where many of them are seeking and securing jobs – still has companies that are doing well and looking for skilled workers.

“The oil and gas industry in particular is bucking the national trend and continuing to expand and take on staff.

“A significant number have also moved into new careers and taken up roles in the care sector, for example.”

About 250 employees remain at the Spennymoor site, on the Merrington Lane Industrial Estate. They will lose their jobs at the end of the month.

Right Management will continue to operate at the factory until at least the end of February.

Stewart Watkins, managing director of the County Durham Development Company and chairman of the Electrolux response group, said it had taken “great strides” in getting people settled in employment.

He said: “We recognise the economic climate is difficult at present, but the response group will continue to work to find positive solutions for the remaining employees.

“The workers leaving have skills that make them desirable to other employers in the region and we continue to provide a vast array of support to help for the future.”