GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Bay Area Workforce Development believes it can find jobs for Appleton Coated’s 600-plus workers, many of whom are currently laid off following the company’s sale.
However, Executive Director Jim Golembeski says there might be a challenge or two they’ll need to overcome.
“This is a little older workforce, and they’re at a fairly decent rate of pay. I think we’re looking at an average salary of about $25 an hour. It’s a very good climate right now. We have a lot of employers looking to hire people right now. It’s all across the board. These workers aren’t going to be interested in those $10-$12 an hour jobs.”
Golembeski says his agency has already held orientation sessions with some of the laid off workers and notes they are working to set up a job fair for them within the next couple of weeks.
“We’re really going to be looking at employers who can offer the kind of pay and benefits that are comparable to what these workers are currently receiving.”
While he notes it is a difficult time for the affected workers, Golembeski urges them not to panic or make quick decisions, noting the current time is much more favorable for them than would have been the 2002 period of economic structural changes or the 2008-2009 recession.
“We have a very strong economy right now in Northeast Wisconsin.”
Golembeski says they have reached out to at least 10-15 employers but would not share any names.
