The province is providing help for employees impacted by the closure of the Cascades manufacturing plants in Trenton and Belleville.
Cascades announced the closure of both plants earlier this year.
The Ontario government is investing $445,252 in a new action centre to help the 180 workers connect with services and training they need to get back to work quickly.
Run by Unifor, the Cascades Action Centre, will operate until April 2025 and support laid-off workers by hosting workshops and seminars, providing peer-to-peer support and job search assistance, teaching financial management and computer skills and offering certification training in Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and other short-term training.
David Piccini, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, says the action centre will ensure Cascades workers have access to resources and opportunities to land better jobs and bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.
Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith says, “Cascades’ decision to close its facilities in Trenton and in Belleville was sad news for the skilled workers they employed and for our entire region, but there remains great opportunity within the Quinte manufacturing sector. I’m pleased that our government is standing by these workers to offer the training and supports they need to find their next position. The Action Centre is an important resource for that process.”
