Fox Valley job market looks favorable for laid-off Neenah Foundry workers
FOX VALLEY (WLUK) -- More than 100 Neenah Foundry workers will soon be looking for new jobs.
The company announced Monday that it would be laying off production workers, supervisors and corporate staff.
The move follows the company selling its Heavy Truck Market last July.
Fox Valley Workforce Development Board Workforce Solutions Manager Bobbi Miller says there will be plenty of opportunities to choose from in the area for the laid-off Neenah Foundry workers.
“In general, we still continue to see a lot of companies recruiting," said Miller.
Miller says it’s a matter of if they want to stay in their current field or explore other options. Either way, her team will be there for support.
“We will be working really hard to make sure the impacted workers have a good transition. We’ll be talking to them about what types of jobs they see in their future. If they need training, we can assist with that," said Miller.
According to the latest state Department of Workforce Development employment report, the Oshkosh-Neenah area had an unemployment rate of 3.2% in June -- only a little higher than the state average of 2.9%.
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Miller says if they don’t want to stay in Neenah, there are opportunities to commute.
“We’re in a nice little spot where individuals can work in Oshkosh, in Green Bay and out in the Waupaca area, so there’s a ton of opportunities for individuals," said Miller.
Neenah Mayor Jane Lang says she hopes the 115 workers will look for new job opportunities in Neenah or the Fox Valley.
“We have a long record of stability of our labor force in Neenah," said Lang. "It's a great place to live, and I think people want to stay here."
Lang says the city has had a close partnership with Neenah Foundry.
She feels for the employees and their families, but she’s optimistic.
“There are many jobs out there, many unfilled jobs out there right now. So, I’m hoping that this will not be a long-term situation for these employees," said Lang.
Miller says Fox Valley Workforce Development will host a job fair shortly after the lay-offs come at the end of September.
Most of the laid-off employees are part of the United Steelworkers Union.
FOX 11 reached out to the local 121B chapter but did not hear back.
