Taskforce help Young’s unemployed
The Scottish government convenes a taskforce to support workers and communities affected by Young’s Seafood decision to reduce its operations at Fraserburgh.
The move follows confirmation by Young’s that it will keep 250 permanent staff at Fraserburgh and retain the Spey Valley smokehouse at Grantown-on-Spey.
Business minister Fergus Ewing will chair the taskforce, which will comprise of representatives of Young’s USDAW, scottish enterprise, skills development scotland, aberdeenshire council, local MP Elidh Whiteford and local MSP Stewart Stevenson.
Ewing explains, “This is deeply disappointing, but not unexpected, news. Since Young’s first announced plans, the Scottish government and its agencies have made every effort to safeguard jobs at Young’s two sites in Fraserburgh and Grantown operation and keep staff at Fraserburgh.
“The impact of Young’s decision on Fraserburgh and the whole of the North East will be significant and far reaching.
“We have already offered support for affected employees through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, partnership action for continuing employment (PACE). Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE, will aim to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work.
“Building on the significant amount of work that has already taken place, I have decided to convene a Fraserburgh taskforce. The taskforce will look at how the work at Fraserburgh can be expanded, in collaboration with the company, and will provide every possible support to those workers who need our help to find alternative employment and ensure all public bodies collaborate to mitigate, as far as possible, the impact of Fraserburgh and surrounding communities.”
