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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-02, Page 5Minister commends Volvo programs Gerard crams signal -star staff Celebrating success in a time of great un- certainty, the Volvo Action Centre is setting the bar for helping workers transition into other careers as the plant closure continues to wind down. Minister of Training, Colleges and Uni- versities, John Milloy, was at the Maitland Road plant Friday, offering his congratula- tions and commendations for the workers and the staff that make up the action centre. "I never want to minimize the difficult sit- uation you face here," Milloy told the crowd of about 100. "But it is a bit of a celebra- tion:' - Since the closure of the grader manufac- turing plant June 30, 42 per cent of Volvo employees have successfully transitioned into new jobs, schooling, retraining or re- tirement. Plant manager Allan Ball said "absolutely everyone" at the Volvo plant went through a return -to -work action plan. More than 300 workers have thus far completed their weld- ing tickets, taken heavy equipment courses, or entered project management training. There are still 160 employees to go through the transitioning programs, and Ball said he hopes to see the number of success- ful participants go to 100 per cent. Chair of the Volvo Adjustment Commit- tee, Arnie Francisco, said it is the role of the committee to make sure workers get access to the programs and services they are en- titled to. While workers .are being retrained, Fran- cisco said the committee is also marketing the skills of outgoing employees to 1,300 area employers. Both he and the Minister gave praise to the Goderich community, saying they have been a great source of support for workers at Volvo. Francisco also said out of all the employ- ers he has done transition work for, Volvo has by far exceeded not only the require- ments for employee assistance, but Karin Mabon, action centre coordinator, said the employees deserve commending for rising to the challenge of changing careers. In June, Service Canada support work and a mass employment insurance sign-up was done on-site at Volvo, offering employees a chance to have their questions answered during the application process and not after- ward. The day also saw both senior government representatives from the riding offer their accolades. "Thank you for choosing to become part of the action, centre," Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell told employees. Mitchell has been working closely with the MTCU to make sure the transition is a smooth one, and making sure the dollars are there for programming, Milloy said. • Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb said he knows first-hand the effects of layoffs, sharing sto- ries of his time at Wescast in Wingham. Since the auto parts plant closed its doors, Lobb said workers have done a tremendous job bouncing back. "Wherever I'm out in the riding, chances are I see someone from Wescast," he said. "It's astonishing how many successes are out there. At every fork in the road, there's an opportunity." Mayor Deb Shewfelt said the last time Goderich felt the crunch of a major employ- er shutting down was the closure of the psy- chiatric hospital in 1974. The community, he said, came together then and will do so again. "Everybody did their part," he said. "There was no blame game. History will re- peat itself. "I'm a firm believer that something will happen." Photo by Gerard Creces Volvo employees take part in an open house at the Volvo Action Centre Friday, August 28. co : stb ues.ca ca Presents Friday, Sept. 4th FREE BLUES CONCERT 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Courthouse Park, Goderich featuring: SAM HURRIE BAND Sponsored by The Goderich & District Chamber of Commerce WALk-A-BOUT BLUES 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. All within an easy walk -a -bout distance in the historic downtown Goderich core. 6 Great Blues Acts! 6 Great venues: • PADDY O'NEIL'S - 92 Courthouse Square featuring: THE BEARCATS (5pc.) GODERI CH GRILL - 33 Kingston Street featuring: MIKE MacDONALD (duo) Doors open at 8:00 p.m. • BAILEY'S FINE DINING -.120 Courthouse Square featuring: PAUL LANGILLE (single) • J'S BISTRO -10 Courthouse Square featuring: CHRIS MURPHY & TIM TYLER WICKED WILLY'S - 42 West Street featuring: BOBBY LEE JUSTICE BAND (5pc.) • THE PARK HOUSE -168 West Street featuring: TIM WOODCOCK (3pc.) Evening admission to all six (6) venues: Only $10.00 Admission wristband required by 8:30 p.m. Available at Ticket Seller locations, Band Stand from 6 - 8 pm and at any of the participating venues just before show time. Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 2, 2009 - Page 3 estcoastb ues ca Presents Saturday, Sept. 5th FREE BLUES CONCERT 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.- Courthouse Park, Goderich featuring: CHRIS MURPHY BAND Sponsored by The Goderich B/A THE BIG EVENT Doors Open at 7:00 p.m. Huge Party Tent, The Livery Parking Lot South Street Goderich, just off the Square. Featuring: Internationally Renowned STEVE STRONGMAN BAND and Blues Harp Sensation DAVID ROTUNDO BAND with special guest MEMPHIS TIM Of special note: Steve Strongman and Memphis Tim performed at the 2009. International Blues Competition, held in Memphis, Terthessee. Only 150 blues performers play each year at this inter- national competition so it's a great honour to compete, and they did Canada proud! If you missed Tennessee, we've got them booked for September 5th... a show you won't want to miss! Licensed Event w/ on-site Food Vendors The Big Event Tickets: only $25.00 Weekend Pass: only $30.00 Sept. 4th, Sept. 5th or Weekend Pass tickets available at: • Ernie King Music - 70 The Square, Goderich 519.524.4689 • 104.9 The Beach - Suncoast Drive, Goderich 519.612.1149 • On -Line @ www.westcoastbiues.ca • The Door, for The Big Event @ 7:00