REC Silicon job fair and support events planned

MOSES LAKE — Former REC Silicon employees laid off due to the closure of the Moses Lake facility can learn about available benefits and reemployment assistance at a “rapid response event” Friday. Two sessions are scheduled, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the WorkSource Central Basin office, 309 E. Fifth Ave. in Moses Lake. 

Emily Anderson, career and training manager for SkillSource, said information will be available on unemployment benefits, retraining options, skills workshops, WorkSource services and programs for dislocated workers. Administrators from REC will attend to talk about health insurance options. Representatives from OIC of Washington will be on hand to talk about financial information options.  

It’s for both employees who have already been laid off or who will be laid off, she said.  

“It’s an event to help support the impacted workers,” Anderson said. “It’s designed to get families tuned in to what’s out there.” 

Jeremy Lopez will be the guest speaker, and Anderson said he’s uniquely qualified to talk about the subject. 

“He lost his job during a REC layoff,” she said and went on to a career at WorkSource.  

Anderson estimated about 100 workers have been laid off to date, with about another 100 layoffs coming within the next month and the remaining workers, estimated at about 40 to 50, laid off by midyear.  

A REC-focused job fair is scheduled for Jan. 30, with a focus on matching former REC employees and employers who are looking for similar skills, Anderson said.  

A similar rapid response event is scheduled for Monday for employees affected by the closure of the Big Lots retail store in Moses Lake, Anderson said.