As the Chippewa Valley reels from the announced closures of three major health care providers, state and regional organizations have announced upcoming two job fairs designed for employees who will soon be laid off.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development  and the West Central Works Workforce Development Board said the events are in response to the impending closing of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Prevea Health’s western Wisconsin facilities, which will impact an estimated 1,400 workers.

Here is the full announcement about the job fairs:

DWD, Regional Partners Taking Action to Support Healthcare Industry Workforce in Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Regions

EAU CLAIRE – Workers and other community members affected by recent healthcare industry announcements in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley, and surrounding regions can look to the support of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the rapid response services of the West Central Works Workforce Development Board to help them prepare for and connect with employers that are eager to hire.

DWD and the West Central workforce development board will host community job fairs to connect affected workers with regional employers on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Florian Gardens Conference Center, 2340 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701, and Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Casper Conference Center and Student Commons of the Chippewa Valley Technical College – Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703. The job fairs will be open to the public. Additional services will be made available via DWD's mobile career labs in locations that are convenient for affected employees, with a schedule to be announced in the coming days.

"Wisconsin's highly skilled healthcare workforce is at the heart of a thriving economy, and DWD and its partners are fully committed to connecting the affected workers in health care and other industries with new career opportunities and family-supporting wages," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "While Wisconsin's overall labor market remains robust, mobilizing rapid response efforts will help minimize the local effects of the upcoming employer transitions. The rapid response support includes assistance with job search and placement, unemployment insurance application assistance, interview preparation, career counselling, and navigation of childcare and health insurance information, among other resources."

The West Central workforce development board is leading rapid response efforts, which follow notifications filed Jan. 22 of closures affecting HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital Chippewa Falls, and Prevea Clinic Inc. locations in Eau Claire, Chippewa, Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, Price and Rusk counties, affecting approximately 1,391 workers.

"The West Central Works Workforce Development Board rapid response teams are working efficiently and effectively to gather critical information, set up meetings with the affected employees and employers and prepare for upcoming job fairs focused on health care and other in-demand occupations and skills associated with these layoffs," said Jon Menz, CEO and Senior EO Officer at the West Central Works Workforce Development Board. "Our team appreciates the partnership of all those who are working on behalf of the affected employees, as we work to maintain a strong local labor force and resilient economy in the region."

Employers and workers interested in participating in the job fair events can contact:

Employer Contact: Carlene M. Volbrecht, Department of Workforce Development, Employment & Training Specialist, 715-679-5546, Carlene.volbrecht@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Worker Contact: Yolanda LeCount, Operations Manager, Workforce Resource Inc., 877-711-9390 ext.1536, lecounty@workforceresource.org

Additional Contact: Deb Nichols, VP Business Solutions, West Central Works Workforce Development Board, 715-505-5486, dnichols@wdbwcw.org

About the Dislocated Worker Program

The Dislocated Worker Program provides transition assistance to workers and companies affected by permanent worker layoffs. The rapid response teams help companies and worker representatives develop and implement a practical transition plan based on the size of the layoff event. Types of services include:

• Pre-layoff workshops on a variety of topics, such as resume writing and interviewing, job search strategies, and budgeting;
• Provision of information about programs and resources through written materials and information sessions; and
• Career and resource fairs.

Workers affected by permanent layoff may also access basic re-employment services at no charge through the state's Job Centers. Some services, including training assistance, may be an option for some workers after enrolling in one or more of DWD's workforce development programs.

Additional information on the Rapid Response Team process is available at: https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/more.aspx?info=jobloss