About 400 people dropped off an application at a job fair held in Sussex, N.B., for potash workers recently laid off.
K+S is a potash mining company from Saskatchewan looking to build a new mine and production facility near Moose Jaw, which would require upwards of 120 skilled operators and trades people.
“For us coming here it's really about getting that specialized potash processing background,” said Mary-Ann Deutscher of K+S human resources. “For us having that skill and having that background will be invaluable.”
Kevin Pickard was one of the many in attendance. He says when the week began, he never would have imagined he’d be applying for a job in Saskatchewan.
“You've got to go where the work is,” said Pickard. “This is a blessing, absolutely. But big picture, the province is going to lose big time because there's going to be people pulling out of here.”
Deutscher says the company is hoping for a quick turnaround time for applicants.
“Our anticipation is that offers will go out at the end of March/beginning of April,” she said.
New employees will be required to move to Saskatchewan to work for K+S.
“One of the benefits, maybe, for me is that I can go. There's really nothing holding me here,” said Pickard. “My children are gone, I'm not in the same boat as some of the younger guys who are going to get hit hard by this.”
Some local businesses will be affected more than others. Nearby Poley Mountain and its new multi-million dollar lodge shouldn't be one of them.
“Our market extends to southeastern New Brunswick and sometimes Nova Scotia, so we're not just in Sussex,” said Jamie Hare of Poley Mountain.
Former employees of the Picadilly mine say they’re grateful for the opportunity before them. They say they don't want to move, but if they’re lucky enough to get hired, they won't have any choice.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis.
