NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) – A local organization plans to help the workers affected by upcoming changes to Kimberly Clark’s Fox Valley operations.
Bay Area Workforce Development Executive Director Jim Golembeski says they’ll aid the up to 600 employees affected by the closure of the company’s Neenah Nonwovens Facility and possible shut down of the Cold Spring Facility in Fox Crossing.
“Retraining, how to deal with unemployment these days (which is all online), as well as that you don’t lose your healthcare.”
Golembeski notes a trend with workers from similar facilities, such as Appleton Coated and Appvion, that have recently closed their doors.
“We are seeing very few workers deciding to go into any retraining programs, so that tells me that they’re getting new jobs with the skills that they have.”
Golembeski is asked if the closures of multiple similar area companies in recent months has hampered their ability to help these folks.
“There are adequate resources available to address the needs of these workers. The hardest thing is just to help these people relax a little bit and make sure they make good decisions.”
While noting that losing ones job is never easy, Golembeski offers a silver lining for the impacted workers.
“In 25 years of my being in this position, this is the best employment position that I have seen.”
Golembeski says they’ll reach out to affected employees, holding a job fair specifically for those workers at a date that is yet to be determined.
