MANSFIELD — A longtime Mansfield employer will soon cease production and lay off more employees, but local organizations want to help the newly unemployed return to work.
Hyundai Ideal Electric Company (HIEC), 330 E First St., announced earlier this month it will cease production and begin laying off 16 employees from its already reduced staff in July. That information was shared May 12 from HIEC Human Resource Manager Wendi Knapp, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice distributed May 12.
“The layoffs will affect all 16 bargaining unit employees who are currently employed at the Mansfield Plant,” Knapp stated in the notice. “The 103 employees who were laid off during 2016 will not be recalled.”
This notice was received by the Ohio Office of Workforce Development May 18.
The letter continues to say that these layoffs, which are likely to occur on or near July 12, are expected to be permanent. The date is subject to change based on what the company and the union agree upon.
But despite their situation, Lori Bedson of Ohio Means Jobs and Richland County Job & Family Services wants the employees will stay hopeful.
“It’s a very emotional time, she said. “But I encourage them to look at it as an opportunity to do something they thought was impossible.”
Some may consider going back to school to get a certification.
Some who were laid off in earlier round of HIEC cuts are already completing and enrolling in programs at Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, located at 1783 St. Rt. 60, Ashland, said adult education director, Melisa Carr. The center offers programs like Maintenance Training, Welding Technology, Business Office Technologies and Medical Assisting. The complete list is available at acwhcc.org.
The spring session maintenance training program includes several former HIEC employees, who are now completing externships with local employers. The typically small summer session with only 11 students includes six former HIEC employees.
“They’ve got more opportunities,” said Carr. “Maybe this is their opportunity to tool up and learn new skills.
“They’ve got hope here.”
She further explained that employers are frequently reaching out to the center, looking for new employees. Many students have jobs waiting for them when they finish their program.
Bedson from the Ohio Means Jobs and Richland County Job & Family Services said that dislocated workers often qualify for the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, which may cover all or a portion of the cost of training.
“If they are thinking about going back to school, now might be the best opportunity to do that,” she said.
To qualify, the dislocated workers must choose training for an in-demand job through one of many state-approved programs, but Bedson said that Ohio Means Jobs is able to help most of the people who seek assistance.
She mentioned the Madison Adult Career Center and the variety of job training programs offered there, too.
Bedson has visited HIEC a few times since the company first began layoffs. She’s held rapid response sessions to provide information to the potential dislocated workers. She said she’s willing to return to HIEC again for follow-up sessions to ensure everyone gets the necessary information.
Ohio Means Jobs also provides help with resume preparation and tips throughout the job search process. Those with questions should call Bedson at 419-774-5403.
