The hunt continues for new jobs for some of the 300 workers who lost their jobs when Newfoundland-based Ocean Choice International closed its Souris processing plant days before the start of the spring lobster fishery last week.
In the P.E.I. legislature on Wednesday, Innovation Minister Allan Campbell said the province has had face-to-face meetings with 180 of the workers.
More than 200 took part in job sessions held in Souris last week.
“I am happy to report that we are already seeing results from this work,” Campbell said.
“My staff tell me that of the displaced workers who we made contact with last week, 79 people have found new employment already.”
Ocean Choice said last week it decided to sell the plant because the company was headed in a different direction.
The company purchased the plant seven years ago following the collapse of Polar Foods International.
Today, the province is hosting another round of information sessions for former Ocean Choice workers who have not yet found a new job.
Workers are invited to the Eastern Kings Sportsplex from 1 to 3 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. to meet with staff and learn about possible job opportunities.
One of those new job opportunities may be in a call centre.
Advantage Communication announced on Wednesday it was expanding its Souris-based call centre and hiring an additional 30 people.
The Island-owned and operated company has call centres in Charlottetown, Summerside and Souris as well as Dieppe, N.B.
The company placed a huge ad in The Guardian on Wednesday saying it’s planning a job fair in Souris next week.
Campbell, who is also the MLA for the Souris area, said he’s pleased to see the response of the business community — more than a dozen companies have come forward with job openings. He said most of the 79 have gone to work for other fish plants that were experiencing staff shortages.
“It’s a win-win in a lot of cases,” he said in an interview.
“Workers with no jobs working in an operation that required more people.”
As for the future of the Ocean Choice fish plant, Campbell said that’s still up in the air.
Both the company and the province have threatened legal action against each other.
Neither have filed papers.
“That’s part of the deal that’s most difficult is the fact that we have no charge on the plant,” added Campbell.
“I’ve had some discussions with people who have expressed some interest (in the plant) but it’s not our plant to deal with.”
Wow Congratulations, imagine finding a job on your own and not expecting the government to find it for you!!! Hope more people follow your lead!