6 June 20 - July 3, 2009
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Job losses from Page 1
Jobless seek help, training
up retailers such as Remington’s Grill and Michael’s
Since the beginning of the year, visitor counts at the
Pasta and Steak House. A few mom and pop favorites
Gilbert location of Maricopa Workforce Connections
in the historic downtown area made their fi nal sales,
on the corner of Guadalupe and Gilbert roads rose
too.
from 10,000 a month to 16,000 in April.
Mackay says electronic and retail industries were
Burkhart says while most people come to the
hit the hardest in the area, as well as small businesses.
centers looking to fi nd a job as quickly as they can,
Intel, one of Chandler’s strongest employers, let go
many are searching outside their original line of work.
a few hundred employees from their manufacturing
“A lot of people are moving into healthcare and
department in May, according to Dawn Jones, Intel
green careers such as sustainable and renewable
media and community relations manager.
energy,” Burkhart says.
Employees were offered redeployment, which
A signifi cant subset is interested in job training and
would allow them to continue to seek alternative
continuing education. After an orientation session,
employment at Intel for two months, or a severance
they are connected with the association’s partners,
STSN photo
package. Jones says with either option, the newly
such as community colleges that offer continuing
FOR ALL AGES: Sonal Arora of Mathnasium of Ocotillo, shown unemployed will receive help in their job search,
with a student, helps both adults and youth brush up on math
education courses.
skills.
including job counseling and outplacement services.
Chandler residents are also looking elsewhere to
“We are trying to streamline operations as much
brush up on their skills.
City strong as layoffs continue and as effi ciently as possible while maintaining a good
Sonal Arora of Mathnasium of Ocotillo, located
By freezing employee salaries and granting 66 workforce,” Jones says.
south of the Santan Loop 202 Freeway on Arizona
employees an early retirement A few companies have weathered the storm,
Avenue, says her center has seen a few adults who
package, the City of Chandler including ArmorWorks, Orbital Sciences, Craftco,
were looking to gain confi dence and improve their
avoided layoffs this year. Pearson Education, Verizon Wireless and Chandler
basic math skills in order to stay competitive while
But the area isn’t immune Regional Medical Center.
they were out of work.
to the nation’s economic Mackay says healthcare, the Department of Defense
“They were looking for a positive change,” Arora
sickness, which has directly and aerospace industries seem to be doing the best.
says. “It was so beautiful. I would say to them, ‘Yes,
impacted employment, In the past few months, Healthways opened its doors,
I am able to help you. If you are willing to put in the
business, growth and progress. bringing 220 existing jobs to the area. ArmorWorks’
effort, we will help you.’”
From April 2008 to April ShockRide division brought in 100 new positions,
Christine Mackay, City of Chandler economic
2009, Arizona lost more than Hanjin Shipping added 140, and other smaller start-
development director, says she believes job training
55,000 jobs, according to a
City of Chandler
up companies created other opportunities.
and continuing education are important for all
special unemployment report Economic Development
Chandler residents.
from the U.S. Department of
Director
‘We will be down here a while’
Christine Mackay
“Staying fresh and competitive in any market is
Commerce. While new jobs are coming, Mackay says growth is
important, but especially now in these tough economic
Chandler said goodbye to longtime employers such
times,” Mackay says.
as Oberg-Arizona and Gould Electronics, and boarded
See Job losses Page 7
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