Delaware Department of Labor to help laid-off DuPont workers

 (photo courtesy DuPont)

(photo courtesy DuPont)

As DuPont workers learn if they will be one of hundreds of employees laid off this month, Delaware’s Department of Labor is stepping in to help them transition into new employment.

Last week DuPont announced it would lay off 1,700 Delaware workers. The cuts come as part of DuPont’s efforts to reduce $700 million in costs ahead of its planned merger with Dow Chemical, which was announced in December.

Robert Strong, director of industrial affairs for the Department of Labor, said the state is currently working with the company to arrange rapid response activities.

The department is identifying laid off staff members, their job titles and their skills, he said. Once complete, the department will develop their resumes, offer workshops on interviewing and job search skills and connect them to local and national companies based on their expertise, Strong said.

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The department plans to start the rapid responses by the third week in January, he said.

“The Department of Labor has a lot of resources available to support these folks and we’re going to do everything we can to help,” Strong said.

He said he can’t predict what the future holds for those being laid off, but said he believes they will have the skills companies are looking for.

“I think our economy has turned around nicely, and we’ve seen a lot of job growth,” Strong said. “Obviously this is a hit, but I think the caliber of people coming out of DuPont will be good candidates for employment.”

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