The Kurri Kurri aluminium plant, near Newcastle in New South Wales, is slated for closure due to low metal prices, high electricity costs and unfavorable currency values.

Hydro sponsored the job market in cooperation with Australian authorities. It attracted dozens of companies that could be prospective employers for the Kurri Kurri workers.

The Hydro Job Market was held at the Kurri Kurri plant site, and a couple of companies will also be on site July 19 for interviews. Recently redundant employees from the part Hydro-owned Tomago plant nearby also attended, as well as from the newly rationalized newspaper, the Newcastle Herald.

Popular event

Trevor Hall, vice president in HR & Organisation at Kurri Kurri, says the effort has been extremely popular with prospective employers, which include companies looking for employees directly and recruiting companies.

"We have 70 exhibitors who have over 6,500 genuine vacancies," Hall explains. "We have been specific in explaining to exhibitors that their vacancies must be real and current - we have employees looking for work now.

"There is a growing anticipation for the day and in my view it's going to be a very big event on the local calendar. It is helping to generate optimism and a positive image of the future for many people."

The Jobs Market directory was prepared ahead of the event to assist the employees in the hunt for a new career (see brochure in right-hand column).

"The directory gives you some idea as to who is involved," Hall explains. "Employees collect a copy, look at the companies that are offering the types of jobs that fit their skills – tradesmen, operators, accountants, and so on. When they arrive, they will already know which employers they want to go and see and where to find them.

"What we hope to achieve is to facilitate the meeting of potential employers with redundant employees so that we increase our chances of 344 successful outcomes. We are hoping that within a day or two of the event, employees will be called to interviews."

Kurri Kurri production managers arranged for skeleton crews at certain times of the day so employees can attend the event.