The RRG, chaired by former industrial chaplain Rev Erik Cramb, has already succeeded in its first task — securing £1.5 million to begin the process of helping affected staff rebuild their lives.

The group is also working to help others whose jobs could be lost because of the knock-on effect of the mass redundancies at NCR. Its next job will be to create a database containing details of each of the workers made redundant, their skills and qualifications in order to pair them up with possible employers.

Deputy first minister Nicol Stephen was presented with the action plan at the start of February and a summary of it can now be viewed at www.ncrteam.org.uk

Mr Cramb said today, “The key thing for the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (an Executive initiative that helps companies facing difficulties) is to see what resources are in the factory.

“It will be holding briefing sessions next week with the personnel managers at NCR.

“The supply chain team are still gathering information about how it will be affected by the redundancies, while the future economic strategy group is looking at things longer term.”

Meanwhile, Dundee West MP Jim McGovern has arranged for Mr Cramb to meet the Scottish Affairs Select Committee when it visits Dundee next week to discuss the job losses.

Mr McGovern has also been in discussion about possible jobs open to workers once they have been suitably retrained.

He said, “Working jointly with my Aberdeen counterpart, Frank Doran MP, and Graham Tran of trade union Amicus, I have been contacted by organisations that specialise in retraining people for employment in the oil industry.

“Production Services Network, one of the largest private companies in Scotland, will be sending representatives to Dundee to share potential oil and gas industry opportunities with people affected by these announcements.

“I have also put these organisations in touch with the chair of the RRG, Erik Cramb, who has welcomed the initiative.”

Mr McGovern added, “It is important that those affected by the cuts are aware that every effort is being made to ensure alternative avenues are explored and will be available if and when required.

“After discussions with Mohammad Sarwar MP, chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, it has been agreed that local employment issues will be discussed as part of the committee’s visit to Dundee.”