Help for Kewaunee nuclear workers losing their jobs
By: Heather Sawaski
Updated: February 20, 2013
MISHICOT, Wis. (WFRV) - The Kewaunee Nuclear Power Station will close its doors this spring. That means more than 600 people will be out of work. That's why the company is doing what it can to soften the blow. Dominion is hosting a job fair for the employees this week.
Jerry Patenaude has handed out at least a dozen resumes.
"I'm just looking for future employment," Patenaude said.
He's worked at the Kewaunee Power Station for more than a decade.
"Pretty interesting, pretty challenging career," he commented.
But when it shuts down this spring, Patenaude needs a Plan-B.
"If the right opportunity is there," he explained. "I do have a background in substation work as well so that's another thing I'm pursuing."
Patenaude and hundreds of other soon-to-be-displaced workers from the Kewaunee plant are exploring their options in Mishicot this week. That's where Dominion, which is the parent company of the power station, is hosting a job fair.
"We want to try to cushion the blow as best as possible and part of that is finding other opportunities," Mike Kanz, Local Affairs Manager with the Kewaunee Power Station explained. "This is a great start here. It's kind of a one stop shop."
The job fair includes more than 50 employers from around the nation and most in nuclear power.
"I actually expect to make about a half dozen hires out of the job fair results," said Ralph Nadel, Recruiter from Energy Northwest in Washington. "We have candidates that are highly skilled in mechanical design, electrical engineering, supervision."
Kanz calls it a highly skilled workforce with plenty of opportunity, as long as the employees are willing to relocate.
"Nuclear is one of those businesses where a lot of the workforce is beginning to age and nearing that retirement age," explained Kanz. "So there is a great need to try and keep those folks replaced."
Patenaude is keeping his options open.
"You have to make decisions about what's best for your family at the time," he added.
This is the first job fair being hosted by Dominion for the Kewaunee workers.
