While Farmland Foods remains silent about its final decision on building a new meat-processing plant in Albert Lea, displaced workers’ struggle to find new jobs continues.

Thursday, October 18, 2001

While Farmland Foods remains silent about its final decision on building a new meat-processing plant in Albert Lea, displaced workers’ struggle to find new jobs continues.

Some of them have formed a job club in cooperation with Workforce Development Inc., a non-profit organization residing in the Workforce Center, to exchange employment information and develop their job-search skills.

The meetings, held every Monday and Wednesday, attract many displaced workers who once worked together under the same roof.

The members exchange information about job openings, and speakers from the Workforce Development and other organizations give lectures about job-hunting techniques and employment market climates once in a while.

Val Kvale, coordinator of Workforce Development, says the club focuses on those who had longer tenures in the plant. Most of them worked between 25 to 40 years, she said.

&uot;They are the ones who need help the most,&uot; Kvale points out, &uot;because many of them do not have an experience of a job search. Some of the folks hired long ago did not need a resume. They just visited the plant, and were told to come back the same afternoon to start.&uot;

Older displaced workers also have a disadvantage in meeting the needs for up-to-date skills. &uot;Many employers see their skills are pretty rusty,&uot; Kvale said.

Workforce Development assists the members to get employment information, resume writing and interview skills, and job training. &uot;Their experience can turn into a precious asset for employers,&uot; Kvale said.

Nevertheless, job club participant Alan Boyer thinks the discrimination against the elders is intense in the job market.

&uot;They have established skills and knowledge, and work ethics that young people do not have. But the discrimination outweighs it,&uot; he said.

For most of the former Farmland workers, unemployment benefits will dry up early next year.

It is not a realistic option for them to wait for a new plant, since the construction would likely take at least a year.

&uot;I have to find a job whether Farmland will come back or not,&uot; Boyer said.