Collaborative Efforts Help Save High-Quality Jobs

The Brooks Automation plant in Petaluma announced recently that they will be closing their doors, resulting in about 85 people losing their jobs, most with skills in manufacturing.

After the city received a letter about the coming closure, City of Petaluma Economic Development Manager Ingrid Alverde pulled together the Sonoma County BEST job development program and the county’s Job Link program to brainstorm on ways to help the situation.

“Our goal is to keep the jobs local,” Alverde said. The Brooks workers represent “valuable talent that we don’t want to lose.”

The three organizations, in partnership with Brooks, put together a job fair last Wednesday, which drew such companies as JDSU, Keysight, Amy’s Kitchen, and many other manufacturers and a few staffing firms.

BEST utilized the connections of their Tech Industry Group (TIG), Food Industry Group (FIG), and investors to bring a majority of the participating companies. Job Link provided the expertise to put the on-site fair together. Brooks brought in a consultant to help workers prepare résumés and cover letters.

The 20 or so companies that took part called the effort a success and praised Brooks for hosting the event.

Julie Vasquez, human resources manager at Small Precision Tools in Petaluma, said the job fair proved valuable for manufacturers that regularly look for skilled workers. “We would love to do this again,” Vasquez said. “I hope this catches on.”

Brandon Jewell, BEST’s associate director of business development, said that events like this are unfortunate, but with the right collaboration, many jobs can be saved. “The City of Petaluma, Job Link, and BEST created a recipe that we can use over and over again,” he said.

For more information on how Sonoma County BEST can help North Bay businesses, visit the website or contact Brandon Jewell at (707) 545-1118.