AQW 5276/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/06/2020
Answered On Date: 07/07/2020
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, following Sensata Technologies' decision to close its factory in Carrickfergus, costing 270 jobs, and to make 160 jobs redundant at its Antrim site, what measures are being put in place to support the former workers of the company.

Answer:

My Department’s Careers Service made contact with Sensata Technologies on Monday 29th June to make them aware of the advice and guidance services available to support the employees facing redundancy. The Careers Service was advised that a staff consultation process is currently taking place and it would likely be nearer the end of the summer before careers services were required.

Sensata Technologies were advised that Careers Service support is currently available via webchat, telephony and email to all employees at any stage throughout the consultation process and beyond, to support them to find alternative employment and that careers advisers can provide personalised job search support, including advice on how to transfer existing skills and experience to current job opportunities, and advice on reskilling, training, apprenticeships and options in further and higher education.

The Careers Service will maintain contact with Sensata over the coming weeks.

I understand that the Department for Communities (DfC) officials have also contacted Sensata to outline how employees can access benefits, if required. These include Universal Credit, the Discretionary Support Scheme and the New Style Job Seekers Allowance.