Retraining needed now, expert says

When it comes to retraining workers who have lost their jobs, one local expert says it’s crucial to get involved early.

With news that job losses are looming for Oshawa’s General Motors workers when the company stops production at the plant in 2019, staff at the Durham Workforce Authority are already in action.

“Getting in and supporting them while they’re still employed is the best-case scenario,” said Heather McMillan, executive director at the Durham Workforce Authority, which keeps tabs on local labour market information. “We need to start talking about a plan now.”

While the latest GM upheaval is distressing, McMillan notes that there are job opportunities on the horizon, with as many as 10 cannabis facilities planned for Durham.

“There are some very interesting opportunities to move autoworkers into other fields, she said.

Premier Doug Ford said in a statement Monday that he will authorize Employment Ontario to deploy its Rapid Re-Employment and Training Services program “to provide impacted local workers with targeted local training and jobs services to help them regain employment as quickly as possible.”

It’s too early to say what kinds of local services that will translate to in Durham — in the face of past automotive layoffs, local “action centres” have offered a critical path to retraining, providing moral support, referrals to community agencies such as food banks and debt counselling, as well as access to job postings, resumé help and assistance applying to retraining programs.