January 06, 2016
In a state with a population of less than 1 million, the loss of 1,700 jobs means quite a lot. So now that DuPont has announced that it will be cutting that many jobs in Delaware, the state's Department of Labor is promising to help the workers find new jobs.
As Newsworks reported, the DOL will begin a "rapid response" effort this month to identify people who will lose their jobs. It will help connect them to local and national companies, based on their skill set, as well as offer workshops on interviewing and job skills.
CEO Edward Breen told workers shortly before New Year's that DuPont would eliminate more than a quarter of its positions in Delaware, but that it will not close down any properties like its headquarters or research centers.
The layoffs are part of a move to cut $700 million in costs before a planned merger with Dow Chemical, based in Michigan.
Robert Strong, director of industrial affairs for the Department of Labor, told Newsworks that since DuPont employed high-skill workers, their chances of finding work again are high.
“I think our economy has turned around nicely, and we’ve seen a lot of job growth,” Strong told Newsworks. “Obviously this is a hit, but I think the caliber of people coming out of DuPont will be good candidates for employment."
Read the full story here.
