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Benefits available for those left jobless by Shelton lumber mill closure

8/13/2015

15-051

Media contact: Pam Grindstaff, 360-570-4249, pam@pacmtn.org
                             Sandy Crews, 360-740-6880, sacrews@esd.wa.gov


OLYMPIA – The U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that hundreds of workers who lost jobs when Simpson Lumber Co. closed its mill in Shelton in June are now eligible for occupational retraining and other benefits under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. 

Through Washington’s WorkSource centers, TAA helps retrain and re-employ workers who lost jobs due to international trade. The federally funded program also assists workers with job searches and relocation. 

Under the certification, WorkSource will provide the workers with information on unemployment benefits, job training, career counseling and job-search assistance. Impacted workers are being notified by WorkSource.

“The program will help Simpson workers pick up the pieces and rebuild their skills for more stable occupations while connecting employers to a skilled workforce,” said Cheryl Fambles, chief executive officer for the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, which oversees WorkSource services in the area.

In addition, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council received $426,000 in Rapid Response funds, Washington state dollars used to help displaced workers. The funds were used to open a transition center where Simpson employees will have a centralized place to access services they need to start new careers. A ribbon-cutting for the new WorkSource Transition Center was held Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 2505 Olympic Highway N., Shelton.

Washington’s WorkSource system is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that deliver a wide array of employment and training services for job seekers and employers.

In 2014, staff at 68 WorkSource centers, affiliates and connections sites helped roughly 169,500 workers and nearly 5,600 Washington employers.

Studies have shown that people who use WorkSource job-search services tend to find work faster and earn more money than those who don’t. WorkSource locations can be found at go2worksource.com.

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For more on the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program: