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05 February 2009Ford job losses – Regional Support Package In response to today's announcement of a voluntary nationwide redundancy programme by Ford, which will particularly affect workers in Southampton, Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of SEEDA, said: “We are obviously very disappointed that Ford has announced a voluntary nationwide redundancy programme, which will affect the Southampton plant seriously due to the current downturn in demand for Transit vans. SEEDA has been closely involved with the company in planning retraining and reskilling of the workforce, alongside key partners such as the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Train to Gain, in readiness for Ford’s new Chassis Cab model planned for production in Southampton; for employment in other sectors; for self-employment or in some cases for retirement. This programme now has a new urgency. SEEDA will continue with this retraining programme, linked to other South East agencies and employers, to ensure that redundancies are kept to a minimum and that any staff who take redundancy are offered help to retrain and get back into work.. We are pleased that Ford has confirmed its plan to build the Chassis Cab at the Southampton Plant, despite the postponement of its introduction. There are positive developments in South Hampshire. For example, our sector consortium, Marine SE is already working with the LSC on training opportunities across the many marine companies in the Solent area. Palmer Johnson has set up a base at Hythe and will be expanding to Woolston with the potential of a substantial number of additional jobs and plans are in place to develop a healthy local supply chain. We will be working to ensure that workers who take redundancy from Ford are well placed to take up these opportunities and that the South East does not lose a crucial base of skilled workers. Anyone made redundant in the region, or any employer forced to contemplate redundancy, can gain access to free advice and support from the Continuing Employment Support Service, joint-funded by SEEDA and Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response, which will do everything it can to get those facing redundancy back into employment. During the past year we have successfully created and safeguarded over 7,500 jobs and helped more than 12,600 people to find work." Companies interested in locating to the new Science Park should contact Ed Metcalfe at SEEDA on 01483 484200 for more information. For further media enquiries, please contact: James Fulker |
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