Caparo in crisis: Former workers begin search for jobs
More than 150 people who lost their jobs after Caparo shut three Black Country plants turned up for a two-day job fair.
The event at Sandwell Council House in Oldbury came two weeks after 323 workers were laid off from Caparo sites in the region.
Caparo Atlas Fastening in Darlaston, Caparo Forging Europe in Dudley and Fairbridge Wire in West Bromwich were closed with immediate effect.
Jobs also went at Caparo Precision Tubes in Oldbury and at the Cradley Heath CMT Engineering plant.
More than 150 of the ex-workers were given advice and help at the event, which took place on Thursday and yesterday.
It was jointly organised by Sandwell Council along with Job Centre Plus Black Country and Walsall Council.
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Paul Moore, said: "We're working with Jobcentre Plus and our colleagues at Walsall Council to provide support to these people at such a difficult time.
"Many of them have worked for Caparo for decades, and we were able to advise them on local job vacancies, offer them support with CVs and advice on attending interviews.
"We'll continue to support them to find new jobs and retraining."
Councillor Keith Chambers, who represents Bentley and Darlaston North for Walsall Council, said: "I personally know a lot of workers who were laid off from Caparo and it is the council's aim to get them back into work asap.
"There will be more events like the job fair which by all accounts attracted a lot of former workers who were glad of the advice and help they were given.
"I'm confident the feedback will suggest the event was popular and successful."
