With some 465 Powder River Basin coal mine workers laid off it’s been busy at the Gillette Workforce Services Center.
Gillette Workforce Services Manager Ramona Peterson says it was probably the busiest day she’s ever seen. A steady stream of displaced coal workers have stopped in to figure out their next step. For some, it's help with updating their resume, for others it's explaining what their options are. Peterson admits that there aren’t a lot of jobs at the moment.
“The market is tight, you know our major industries oil and gas, coal have all suffered a downturn. You know there’s always a trickle-down effect when that happens. There are some jobs out there…but it is tight.”
Peterson said that some people have found new jobs, but they are in the minority.
Despite the news, Peterson added that the mood has been better than expected.
“The people who have been coming in the office have been great, they have been polite, they are just interested in the services what services we offer, what services we have available, they have been patient, kind.”
Peterson said all they can do is to try to prepare people as best they can for any opportunities that arise.
