Oshawa, Ontario — The Ontario government is investing $757,664 to help laid-off workers through a second job action centre in Oshawa, which will aim to provide services and supports for the 1,700 workers from independent parts supplier companies that were impacted by the closure at the Oshawa General Motors Assembly plant.
The new centre is in partnership with Unifor and connects workers with job and training opportunities, counselling services and workshops to help them improve their job search, resume writing and interview skills.
“We know this is a challenging time for many workers and families,” Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, training and skills development, said in a statement. “Our government stands with the people in Durham region, and we will continue to help those affected by the closure adjust and retrain so they can quickly rejoin the workforce.”
“Our union strongly supported situating the action centre within the Unifor Local 222 hall, which will provide our members with continued Unifor support and a comfortable and familiar environment in which to access these vital services,” added Jerry Dias, Unifor’s national president.
The provincial government also said a job fair is being organized on Apr. 22 at Oshawa’s Durham College, which will aim to connect workers with local job opportunities.
In the fall of 2019, Ontario opened the first job action centre on the GM premises in Oshawa. That centre focuses on training for former GM employees.
