Offer of support for workers facing redundancy . . .and some employees will get a temporary reprieve.

HUNDREDS of Nissan workers who are about to lose their jobs are to be given specialist career advice in an effort to get them back into work.

Advisors from the Nextstep adult careers service arrived at the car plant in Washington, Wearside, yesterday, where they will spend the next few weeks offering counseling to people facing redundancy.

They will look at people’s skills, interests and need for training and then offer advice on where to look for work, how to re-train and how to prepare themselves for an upturn in the market.

The presence of Nextstep at the site came on the same day that Communities and Local Government Minister Iain Wright, who is also Hartlepool MP, launched a Government guide for those out of work.

Mr Wright said the Real Help Now booklet, which will be available at Jobcentres, Nextstep, and through a range of agencies, as well as the internet, would signpost people to direct help and advice.

He said: “The Prime Minister is really pushing this document because we want to provide real help now for businesses and households that are really scared.

“Whether people have already lost their jobs, or they are fearful of losing their jobs and their homes, they are frightened and we want to help them where we can.

“It tells people in very plain language what help is out there and where to get it, whether it be about concerns with their mortgage or getting new skills.”

Carole Smith, regional manager for Nextstep, said: “We are at Nissan at the moment, giving one-to-one advice sessions, offering information on retraining, learning opportunities and job opportunities.

“We will be drawing up action plans with individuals, as well as holding group sessions on interview techniques, writing CVs and filling out job applications.

“We will be looking at what skills they have and what are transferable – getting them into work again. What ever barriers people have, we will be directing them to agencies who can help.”