| Mr Mather said the help available would include the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative that played a role in finding new jobs for NCR workers previously made redundant.
The assistance, he said, would be tailored to meet individual needs and local circumstances, but would include Jobcentre Plus services, one-to-one counselling, comprehensive information packs, access to high-quality training, seminars on skills such as CV-writing and starting up a business and access to IT facilities.
Mr Mather added, “I am very disappointed that NCR is looking to cease manufacturing at Wester Gourdie.
“This will be an anxious time for employees, so I am pleased to see that NCR will offer outplacement support to any affected employees and that the company will continue to focus on R&D, support operations, marketing and new product introductions in Dundee.
“For people facing redundancy, the Scottish Government will, through Skills Development Scotland, co-ordinate local response teams under the PACE initiative to provide tailored help and support.
“The Scottish Government is focusing all its efforts on our economic recovery programme and the decisions we have taken, such as boosting the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service and accelerating capital spending to support jobs, will help business through the tough times.
“And last week, Scottish Enterprise announced a £33 million investment in Dundee Waterfront to transform the Tayside economy by creating a major new central business district which will secure existing and attract new high value service sector jobs.”
The Scottish Trades Union Congress, meanwhile, has warned that the NCR job cuts and the ending of manufacturing at the Dundee factory will add to the “growing mood of uncertainty” among Scottish workers.
General secretary Grahame Smith said the redundancies were a “massive blow” that would have a “very serious” impact on the supply chain.
He said, “Following a period of stabilisation, manufacturing is now struggling with the collapse in global demand and problems with export credit finance.
“The Scottish and UK Governments must act now to ensure that Scottish manufacturing emerges from the recession fit to face the challenges of the future.
“The Scottish Government and its agencies must do everything in their power to ensure the redundant workers are re-employed as quickly as possible.” |
