The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Job fair for displaced hotel workers to take place Feb. 6
MIDDLETOWN — The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Workforce Alliance of Middletown are partnering on a employment fair for local workers who lost their jobs due to the recent closure of the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell.
The event will be held Feb. 6 in the Arch Room of Cromwell Town Hall, 41 West St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Workforce Alliance provides services to dislocated workers in the South Central Connecticut region, and responds with employment and training services when layoffs occur, according to a press release. The company worked with the chamber to bring in employers looking to hire.
“Fortunately, there are many hospitality employers that are eager to step in and consider former Red Lion workers for open positions. Their skills are in demand,” Bill Villano, president and CEO of Workforce Alliance, said in a prepared statement. “For those who need further assistance, our American Job Centers are open to help.”
“We were very disappointed in the closure of the Red Lion. We are happy to be working with the Workforce Alliance, the state Department of Labor, state Sen. Matt Lesser, state Rep. Christie Carpino and the town of Cromwell to assist the displaced employees as they seek new employment. We wish them the best and look forward to being a resource for them during this difficult time,” Chamber President Larry McHugh said in the release.
“Getting this done is something I’ve prioritized and have asked for since day one,” Lesser said.
“This is an opportunity for talented workers to identify new employment opportunities. The Red Lion’s sudden shutter has left many employees without a steady paycheck. Together, we have worked to gather resources under one roof to assist the displaced employees take the next step in their career,” Carpino said in the statement.
Cromwell Town Manager Tony Salvatore was upset to learn of the closing. “Hopefully, this can be rectified in the near future.”
The job fair will feature employers from many sectors, but most notably from the hospitality area.
For information, contact Jeff Pugliese at 860-347-6924 or jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com.