Red River Army Depot's Rapid Response Training
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: January 25, 2013
It's been over a week since the Red River Army Depot announced workforce reductions. Come February, more than 350 workers will have to start work somewhere else.
"It's a very difficult time for us, so we're doing everything we can," said Kelly Nzerem.
Fear is starting to set in for those being let go.
"They had been told months ago about how our workload had gone down," said Mary Jayne Locke the Army Community Service Officer. "So then there was a real question whether or not we were going to need so many of our employees. Nobody was happy."
But officials at the Depot say they're doing what they can to make sure the transition is painless.
"If they can't be with us, we want to make sure we put them somewhere where they can sustain their families," Nzerem says.
So the Texas and Arkansas Workforce Commissions have joined the Red River Army Depot to start what's called a Rapid Response Training.
"We want to train our people that are losing their job, so that they can be more competitive," added Nzerem. "So we're going to help them with resume writing, interviewing tips, unemployment, job searches."
While it's a tough battle, those involved say the response has been good.
"They were very eager to learn from the workforce community and personnel what their rights and entitlements were, where they could go from here," said Locke.
And the Depot says they're not giving up until the last person has been helped.
The Rapid Response Training started Wednesday, January 23rd. While it's not mandatory for the departing employees to attend the training, the Depot highly encourages it.
"It's a very difficult time for us, so we're doing everything we can," said Kelly Nzerem.
Fear is starting to set in for those being let go.
"They had been told months ago about how our workload had gone down," said Mary Jayne Locke the Army Community Service Officer. "So then there was a real question whether or not we were going to need so many of our employees. Nobody was happy."
But officials at the Depot say they're doing what they can to make sure the transition is painless.
"If they can't be with us, we want to make sure we put them somewhere where they can sustain their families," Nzerem says.
So the Texas and Arkansas Workforce Commissions have joined the Red River Army Depot to start what's called a Rapid Response Training.
"We want to train our people that are losing their job, so that they can be more competitive," added Nzerem. "So we're going to help them with resume writing, interviewing tips, unemployment, job searches."
While it's a tough battle, those involved say the response has been good.
"They were very eager to learn from the workforce community and personnel what their rights and entitlements were, where they could go from here," said Locke.
And the Depot says they're not giving up until the last person has been helped.
The Rapid Response Training started Wednesday, January 23rd. While it's not mandatory for the departing employees to attend the training, the Depot highly encourages it.
