Rebecca Anna Lee Dorsey Williams
August 18, 2009
Jeanette A Bourgeois
August 20, 2009
Four companies in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes needing workers and Northrop Grumman in Avondale were at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library last week taking applications from workers laid off earlier this month by an East Houma oilrig platform manufacturer.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission coordinated the job event for the nearly 90 workers laid off on Aug. 7 by Offshore Specialty Fabricators, which also provides oilfield services. The company has seen a decline in the number of work contracts, said Greg Anders with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
David Lottinger, business service representative with the workforce commission, said he was expecting 20 to 30 former workers from Offshore Specialty to attend the event, which had representatives from Danos and Curole, Edison Chouest Offshore, Thoma-Sea Boat Builders, Energy Crane, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Lottinger said the job market is tough.
“Many companies have hiring freezes, layoffs here and there,” he said. “Most companies are not hiring, but a few are like Danos and Curole that have gotten contracts or that are in a position where they can take employees. But it’s a small amount.”
“Retail and fast food are good, but bigger companies are harder hit,” he added.
Lottinger said many of the workers laid off by Offshore Specialty were subsequently retained by the company or have already found work.
The workforce commission also held orientation and one-on-one sessions with the laid off workers in July.
“Our fervent hope is that most here won’t have to go on unemployment,” said Katherine Gilbert, business retention and expansion director with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, cosponsor of the event.
Gilbert said, depending on the sector, some companies have experienced layoffs.
“But by the same token, companies are bidding on contracts, preparing for the rebound,” she said. “Employers here are hiring. That’s a good indication. We’re better off than most of the country.”
“Companies here are actually hiring,” Lottinger said. “(Workers) are applying for positions they already have experience with. We’re trying to cater to their job title.”
“For younger guys without a lot of experience, they can see different avenues rather than be in the same field,” he said.
Paul Robichaux with Danos and Curole offshore vessels agreed that market conditions are tough.
Danos and Curole are seeking sandblasters, mechanics, electricians and instrumentation technicians, among a few other positions, Robichaux said.
“It all depends on the projects going on at this time,” said Danos and Curole administrative assistant Julie Plaisiance. “Corrosion on platform rigs is creating more jobs for safety and repairs in the Gulf.”
The company has been able to maintain its workforce because of its diverse customer base, Robichaux said.
However, since Hurricane Gustav, growth has slowed compared to the boom after Hurricane Katrina.
Brett Boune, Edison Chouest community service manager, also said the local labor market has been tough.
Chouest has been promoting from within to fill as many vacancies as possible, but it has not been enough.
“We’ve had to branch out to bring in workers,” he said. “Now that we have some local people that are looking for work, we want to definitely try and help them out.”
“There’s competition for contracts, more competition than it’s been before,” said a representative from Thoma-Sea.
Tommy Hebert with Northrop Grumman said the shipbuilder is looking for pipefitters and welders. Promotional literature for the company states that skilled workers can earn up to $21.10 an hour.
Gary Bull with Energy Crane wholesaler and manufacturers in Houma was the most positive.
“We stay busy,” he said. “We’ve never had a slowdown, no layoffs, in 20 years.”
Mark Riche, a former Offshore Specialty material shipping and receiving manager, said the first week seeking employment has been tough because most companies have a hiring freeze.
Finding a job opening that matches the skill set he and his colleagues have is also hard.
“What’s helping me and these guys out is having friends and families who work at these other companies,” Riche said. “They’re putting our names out there and (the companies) said they’ll call if something becomes available. It’s just wait and see right now.”
Tri-Parish Times staff writer Keyon K. Jeff contributed to this story.
Edison Chouest representatives Brett Borne (left) and Philionese Reynad review the applications of former Offshore Specialty Fabricators workers Mark Riche (white shirt) and Clifford Nelson (right) during a job fair coordinated by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
