As Boeing proceeds with its workforce reductions,
the IAM/Boeing Quality Through Training Program (QTTP) continues
efforts to help laid-off members find re-employment. The latest
job fair on February 13th at the Everett Holiday Inn brought hundreds
of laid-off members face-to-face with nearly 50 employers looking
for potential hires.A wide variety of employers from various fields were in attendance, offering information about their companies, hiring practices and benefits, applications and on-the-spot interviews. The Bremerton Naval Shipyard offered many positions with skills that are directly transferrable -- a bonus was the fact that pay and benefits are comparable to many Boeing jobs.
Jeremy Duncan, who was laid-off after working nearly six years in the 777 forward body structures, was encouraged to find promising job leads at the event, but some required serious consideration. One position was in Mobile, Alabama. While he hasn't completely ruled out relocation, he prefers not to live so far away from his four children, who live in the Everett area.
While the job market is tight, Duncan has kept a positive attitude and is optimistic the right job will come along. He enhanced his chances for re-employment even before the current layoffs began by taking advantage of the Union-negotiated Quality Through Training Program (QTTP) to obtain additional skills. He is currently taking a QTTP computer repair class to further enhance his resume and employability.
Yet the event did more than just provide promising
job leads. Members also had a chance to have their resumes critiqued
by professional advisors from QTTP to ensure job seekers put their
best foot forward while they compete in a shrinking pool of jobs.
In a private room, QTTP advisors met one-on-one with members to
not only review their resume, but also assess their skills, explore
potential employment matches, and provide interview advice. One member commented, "It was very encouraging to see so many employers looking to hire people. While I didn't land a job, it gave me a better idea of the fields that are hiring and the type of training I should pursue for a new career. I hope the Union continues to sponsor these events. It's nice to know we haven't been forgotten."