Contrary to the sentiment expressed in the letter “Job opportunities” (Voice of the people, April 20), Mayor Richard M. Daley’s response to Andersen’s recent massive layoff is no different than his reaction to similar events at other Chicago companies. Namely, the city is committed to helping all laid-off Chicagoans, regardless of their former place of employment, make a smooth and swift transition back to work.
The layoffs at Andersen provided an opportunity to inform out-of work Chicagoans of the full range of specialized dislocated worker services available to them. Under Daley’s leadership, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (MOWD) offers ongoing re-employment and retraining services at more than 30 One-Stop Career Centers and affiliate agencies throughout Chicago.
These services include personalized job assessment, help with resume development and interview skills, and vouchers for vocational training, which can be used for upgrading current skills or learning a new occupation.
MOWD has a proven track record of helping the victims of layoffs and plant closings. For the last several months, MOWD has been advertising these free services on the radio and television, on posters in aldermanic and city offices, and on CTA buses and trains across Chicago. Thousands of people have responded, as evidenced by the sharp increase in attendance at our career centers. I urge all dislocated workers to call MOWD at 312-746-7777 to find the career center closest to them and start the process of getting back to work.
