Some of 700 to be let go at Kimberly-Clark could land at Boeing

The Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County has been working with Kimberly-Clark Corp. employees about their options after the company's Everett paper plant closes, and some could find a home at Boeing, counselors say.

In employee surveys, 51 percent said they would like to get some training to help them find new jobs, director Sue Ambler said.

She said about 3 percent of K-C workers plan to retire. The Workforce Development Council and WorkSource, a separate service of the state Employment Security Department, have held workshops for K-C employees, including workshops on how to apply at the Boeing Co.

WorkSource has a Web page specifically devoted to help K-C workers find new jobs at www.worksourceonline.com/js/KimberlyClark.aspx.

The council has been working with Kimberly-Clark's human resources department to understand the workers' job descriptions. For instance, Ambler said, a millwright really does the work of a high-level mechanic. Many of those millwrights/mechanics will easily find jobs with manufacturing companies like Boeing, she said.

Roughly 600 of the 700 workers who will lose their jobs live in Snohomish County, she added.

"Fundamentally, what I see with Kimberly-Clark workers: They bring great attitudes; they are hard workers and life-long learners; they're highly skilled and stay with a company a long time," Ambler said.

She believes many of the workers could transition to jobs in the aerospace industry, particularly if they receive a little training about airplanes.

"While this is devastating news, really I think it proves we have a highly skilled workforce here in Snohomish County," Ambler said.

The development council is applying for two training grants that specifically have K-C workers in mind and should find out about those grants early next year.

"I believe we're going to find jobs for these folks," she said.