By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Target may have missed its mark in Canada, but Ann Brown is ready to make hers in a second career.
Roughly two weeks ago, the axe fell on Brown and 350 others when Target announced its massive distribution centre in Cornwall, operated by Eleven Points Logistics, will close in the upcoming months.
The looming end of her nearly two-year position at the warehouse led the 51-year-old Cornwall resident who lives with her husband, to an open house Wednesday (Jan. 28), organized by Kensington Recruitment Park, at Ramada Inn.
In addition to the local HR firm, community resources on site included Job Zone d’emploi, T.R. Leger School, K3C Credit Counselling, Tri-County Literacy, United Way, and The Career Tracker Newspaper.
A series of mini-workshops on resume writing and interviewing were also offered.
“I came here to look for opportunities to continue working and the possibility of a starting a second career. I’m just seeing what’s out there,” said Brown.
She was recently given a 12-week working notice stating her pay and benefits will only continue as long as she’s employed up until April 20.
“Was I shocked? Yes and no. There had been a lot of rumours but they had already told us the week before not to worry because we’re in Canada – we’re here to stay. And then they pulled this,” said Brown. “Today, you’re never totally secure in a job.”
John Parsons, Kensington Park Recruitment, said nearly 50 people visited the open house during the first half of the eight-hour event.
“We didn’t brand this as a job fair necessarily, it was more that we wanted to get people together very quickly to respond to recent layoffs, to help them come and find out what’s available,” said Parsons.
“They’re looking for information on employment opportunities, upgrading, second career training, and resources available in the community.”
According to Parsons, hiring tends to slow down in the Cornwall area in January, but it will start to ramp up towards the end of February. and March. Kensington Recruitment Park will be holding a large job fair in March or April with more information to be announced in the upcoming weeks.
“It’s difficult to remain positive. But we’ve seen it in Cornwall over the years, companies open and companies close and people bounce back,” he said.
The firm deals with various sectors that hire in the Cornwall area, mainly warehousing, call centres, and manufacturing facilities; some have administrative positions as well. Parsons noted other essential components in the local employment market are the logistic sector (like trucking companies and alloy industries) and the trades (millwrights, industrial mechanics).
“Despite the fact that 11 Points is closing, Cornwall is still is a hub of logistics and distribution. I think it will remain so and continue to grow in that direction,” he said.
Brown learned about Second Career, thanks to the guidance of JobZone employment counsellors Colleen Landry and Kelly Chartrand. The Ontario government program provides laid-off workers with skills training to help them find jobs in high-demand occupations in Ontario, and financial support.
“The best thing to do is come visit JobZone and talk to someone about eligibility,” said Chartrand.
The pair added that there are plenty of other services they can assist job seekers with at their downtown office.
For more information, visit www.kensingtonparkrecruitment.com.
