Fox Valley Workforce to assist BIW employees

September 22, 2016

By David Nordby The Brillion News

BRILLION – With last week’s announced closing of the Brillion Iron Works (BIW), 340 jobs are in limbo. The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board is a place that the employees can look to for help.

“We know this is a difficult time for employees and their families, however, given the robust local economy and strong work ethic demonstrated by these employees, we feel confident that they will be able to secure new employment if they desire to,” Bobby Miller, Business Solution Manager at Fox Valley Workforce, said.

The agency can help with the basics, including resume writing, interviewing skills and job assessments. “Brillion Iron Works employees will greatly benefit from their services,” Cheryl Welch, Brillion Community Developer, said.

Manny Vasquez, Vice President of Economic Development for Fox Cities Regional Partnership, said he understands the loss that the city of Brillion and BIW workers are going through.

“Obviously this is a huge undertaking to try to mitigate the news that came out of Brilion,” Vasquez said, who noted the impact it will have on the entire city. “We have to work together to help address this challenge as a community.”

Vasquez will look to local employers who are looking for workers who match the attributes of the BIW workers. “Our hope and goal is to connect local companies that are looking for the same types of skill sets,” Vasquez said.

Fox Cities Regional Partnership is a partner of Fox Valley Workforce. A job fair is the next key step that will happen, but Vasquez is unsure of a specific date or timetable. He said they’ll get one as soon as possible for the workers unsure of their future.

Please see the complete update in the September 22, 2016 edition of The Brillion News.