www.awnw.com.au
Issue #255 – Wednesday, 22 October, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
They’re off and racing ... It was the event to kick off spring racing at Wodonga, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. From the latest fashions, to the lucky punters, and even some local winning horses, it was the perfect start to an exciting racing season on the Border.
FOR MORE ABOUT THE DAY TURN TO PAGE 2
Shifting down By ERIN SOMERVILLE AFTER 43 years of service, local tool maker Terry Meredith will soon be heading to work at Albury’s DSI Holdings factory for the final time. As the manufacturing company that spcialises in making gearboxes closes its doors for good on 31 October, around 135 local workers will be left to find new jobs. For many, the closure of DSI Holdings which opened its Lavington doors in 1971 will mark another sad day in Albury’s economic and manufacturing history. “There were about 200 workers when I first started, I have been here when we had up to 1200 workers and it operated 24/7, through to what it is now,” Terry Meredith said. “We just can’t compete with the overseas market.” While employees told the Albury Wodonga News Weekly they were trying to remain optimistic in a difficult situation, many employees must now face the reality of trying to find work in a job-hunting environment that has changed drastically since they were first hired by DSI many years ago. Many workers have never undertaken a formal job interview or created a resume. “It’s a new challenge,” said machine setter Jeff Whyte, who has been with Albury’s DSI Holdings factory for 21 years. “After 21 years we have to do something different, which is probably a good thing. “We’re having to learn now to find jobs online - long gone are the days of door-knocking asking for work.” Mr Whyte said he had recently experienced an intimidating two-month long application process at a larger Border corporation. “It can be very daunting if you have
Quality inspector Steve Johnson, machine operator Carol Peake, and machine setter Jeff Whyte will say goodbye to their jobs at DSI Holdings in Picture: ERIN SOMERVILLE Lavington when it closes next week. 129366 never done an interview or process like that before,” he said. Many older workers and those with highly-specialised non-transferable skills are concerned about their future employment prospects in the Border region, but say the company is being helpful during a challenging period. A private outsourcing and training company has now been hired by DSI Holdings to spend a year with redundant workers at no cost, with the goal of helping find every single one a job in the local community.
It is expected to be a big job, but one that recruitment company Turn2 Work Force Solutions can handle, according to its spokesperson Andrew Schoenfeld, who spends much time assisting the local DSI workers. “We are committed to it,” he said. “Some have got mortgages, kids to feed, and cars to pay off. “It takes a lot of work and energy, and there are going to be a few who will struggle, but we have to be confident.”
The outsourcing company will be using reverse marketing tactics, including advertising, retraining, and upskilling DSI employees to help give them a better chance at finding employment. “This is not just about finding them a job,” Mr Schoenfeld said. “We want to ensure their transition into a career path is going to be successful.” Mr Schoenfeld said while a number of workers would find it more challenging than others to find work in the
local area, the employees’ attitudes during a difficult period had been outstanding. “A lot of these people wouldn’t know how to construct a resume, or have done an interview, or know about networking,” he said. “The last few days they’ve been exceptional now that they know it’s over (at DSI). They have a really good outlook and are very responsive.” Albury Wodonga News Weekly contacted DSI Holdings, but no-one was available for comment.
HOLD U/C
U/C
HOLD
U/C
HOLD
U/C
U/C – Under Contract
1158585-KC43-14