BLUE RIDGE POWER RAPID RESPONSE

                                

Blue Ridge Power Employees:

I am Barbara Darby, Assistant Director of the MAWDB. Our workforce board serves four counties: Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, and Madison. When a company downsizes significantly or closes, our board is asked to organize a Rapid Response meeting for the affected employees.

On behalf of the workforce board, we, as a team, would like to express our sadness that Blue Ridge Power is closing their offices in NC. Our purpose is to provide you with information that will be helpful in your transition to your next employment or educational opportunity. We hope you will take advantage of all the resources available to make this transition easier.

You HR Director Emily Lopez has provided everyone with the WARN notice. Hold on to this notice. It is your eligibility document for unemployment insurance and WIOA funded education or training.

I trust the information you receive below will help guide you and calm your concerns. I know it is a scary, stressful time. Use the resources available to upskill or explore a different field. Having been in your position 15 years ago, my advice is to be proactive. If needed, get help with polishing your resume and interviewing skills and network like crazy. And keep hope in your mindset. You have valuable skills and experience and there will be opportunities presented….so be ready.

Feel free to contact NCWorks in one of our four counties or reach out to me if you need additional information or assistance. My contact information is barbarad@landofsky.org or (828) 231-6611.

Thank you!

 

Filing for Unemployment

• Apply for unemployment
• What you need to know about the NC unemployment insurance benefits process
  
• Create an Online Account
• NCUI 506E – Work Search Record
• Common Unemployment Insurance Mistakes
• What is Unemployment Insurance Fraud

NCWorks Career Centers

• NCWorks.gov
• Services available at your local NCWorks Career Center
• Job seeking skills workshops schedule
• Locations

Education & Training

• WIOA – AB Tech Community College (Buncombe & Madison Counties)
  • WIOA Verification Documents Needed
• WIOA – Blue Ridge Community College (Henderson & Transylvania Counties)
• ApprenticeshipNC

Career Assessments

• O*NET Interest Profiler

Labor Market Information

• Labor Data Search Tool (D4)

Financial Guidance

• Surviving a Layoff
• Job Dislocation – Making Smart Financial Choices After a Job Loss
• How to Survive Financially after a Job Loss
• An Employee’s Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA
• Retirement and Health Care Coverage…Questions and Answers for Dislocated Workers