Iowa Workforce Development’s new IowaWORKS Mobile Workforce Center will be stationed at Tyson Foods in Perry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday to help answer initial questions and prepare workers for the next steps when the pork processing facility closes in June. According to a news release, Iowa Workforce Development’s rapid response services began when the layoffs were announced March 11 and will continue across several weeks to ensure workers file for unemployment at the appropriate time and register with IowaWORKS to receive career planning services. Iowa Workforce Development is also developing plans for the following assistance in Perry in coming weeks:

• Launching a temporary IowaWORKS location at Tyson Foods to serve as a transition center supporting the high number of affected workers. Services will be provided in multiple languages in accordance with the needs of the workforce in Perry.
• Holding formal worker information meetings to help provide workers with a comprehensive overview of all rapid response services.
• Hosting job fair events with employers interested in hiring the workers. To date, agency staff has already connected with more than 40 interested employers. Employers with questions about planned hiring events can reach out directly to Chad Pierce of Iowa Workforce Development’s Business Engagement Division at Chad.Pierce@iwd.iowa.gov.