Job training, other help available

COZAD, Neb. — In September, Tenneco Inc. announced it would close its Cozad plant and leave about 500 people without jobs, and many in the community are now doing all they can to brace for the fallout.

“It seems like there's just a lot of uncertainties right now. When the news hit, it was quite a blow, and I think it was pretty devastating. But you kind of pick up the pieces and move forward the best you can,” said Jen Wolf, executive director of Dawson Area Development.

So far 26 employees have accepted positions at Tenneco plants in other states, but terminations are expected to begin in March, human resources manager Jay Edwards said.

Edwards said he has been impressed with the aid already being offered to employees by the state of Nebraska.

“They have been very aggressive in communicating with our employees in regard to what resources are available to them,” he said. “So where initially it looked pretty bleak, it's nice to know there are some resources available for people.”

John Grinde, superintendent of Cozad Public Schools, said the district has tried to help by making computers available after school for résumé-writing workshops.

He said the district also has worked to tell people about the availability of free and reduced-price lunches for students.

Wolf said Dawson Area Development has added a link on its Web site with information for Tenneco employees.

She said employees who stay at Tenneco until they are officially terminated are eligible for help from the Nebraska Department of Labor and Nebraska Workforce Development.

“Those individuals are eligible to receive dollars for training, which would include their mileage, tuition and books if they want to go back to school and learn a new trade,” she said.

“I think, for the most part, the individuals I've talked to, of course they're scouting out opportunities that are available, but I don't think anybody's desperate to jump ship yet because there are opportunities for them if they wait it out.”

Wolf said for some employees older than 50 the new trade training benefits also will pay part of the difference for up to two years if the person takes a job at lower pay than they were making at Tenneco.

Wolf said her office has been working with area employers to identify employment needs.