All 1,000 workers affected by the proposed closure of Amazon’s Rugeley distribution centre are being offered a support package by a Staffordshire-led partnership.
Daily Focus reported last month that the online retail giant had announced the site was closing to coincide with the opening of a £500million Sutton Coldfield warehouse and fulfilment centre.
While all employees have been offered positions at the new 547,000 sq. ft. Sutton Coldfield facility, those who choose to look for opportunities locally will be helped to find new jobs in Staffordshire.
The task group is made up of representatives from Cannock Chase Council, Staffordshire County Council, the Department for Work and Pensions, South Staffordshire College and the National Careers Service.
It aims to help redeploy, retrain, reskill, upskill, and signpost people to new employment opportunities ensuring support is available to those affected and their families.
The partnership is working with Amazon throughout its consultation period with employees.
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “We were saddened by the news that the Amazon Rugeley site is to close and appreciate it is a difficult time for affected employees and their families.
“The county council and its partners wanted to ensure that our response was swift in ensuring people understand the package of support that is there to help them find other opportunities as soon as possible should they choose not to move to the new site.
“Staffordshire is an area with very low unemployment and far more jobs than jobseekers, so anyone seeking employment can do so feeling confident that the jobs and the help to access them are there for them.”
Cannock Chase Council’s deputy leader and portfolio leader for regeneration and high streets Josh Newbury said:
“Since Amazon’s announcement our focus has quite rightly been on the workers and on Rugeley.
“We have been working to minimise the impact this proposal will have on the town and Amazon employees living locally who may not wish to, or be able to, redeploy to the new Sutton Coldfield site.
“We are also mindful of the wider impact on the local economy and the potential loss of business rates income. I am pleased that the councils and our partners have moved so swiftly to create a wide-ranging support offer. I am confident that local jobs and opportunities can be found for those who want to look elsewhere.
“Work is also moving at pace to secure new inward investment into Rugeley and the district council will be looking to work with the landowner of the Amazon site, to understand their future plans.”
