Target Canada has announced it is shutting down shop.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
January 23, 2015 - 10:31 AM
KAMLOOPS – With two major layoff announcements in Kamloops within a week of each other, employment advisors are preparing for more clients.
Blair Gray, the site coordinator for the Open Door Group and Work B.C. in Kamloops says the location has seen an increase in the amount of clients, but doesn’t attribute that to recent layoffs.
“We’ve seen an increase in general clients,” he says adding that January is a busier month when people have made New Year’s resolutions and are no longer distracted by Christmas holidays.
Beyond helping those stay on track to find employment, Gray says his team of advisors are preparing for new clients after recent layoffs from two city businesses.
The big-box store Target announced on Jan. 15 it was pulling out of Canada – leaving dozens of local employees without a job. Four days later, the CEO of Horizon North announced 48 employees in Kamloops would be let go after a decrease in partner projects caused by a decline in the price of oil.
“We haven’t seen any repercussions from the oil industry yet but it’s definitely something we’re preparing for,” Gray says. He notes the staff has a history of handling layoffs from past instances, including the closure of the Kamloops Daily News.
For those out of work, Gray says there are options available that range from skills training to entrepreneurship that include financial assistance.
If an employee is laid off and is collecting severance, they can still get an active employment insurance claim.
“Don’t wait until you start collecting EI, come in an access our services right away,” Gray says.
He advises to those who feel as though they may lose their job due to the change in oil industry to start researching available positions now and consider skills training.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015