Just days after a mine closure threw more than 400 people out of work, another mining company has arrived in the Maritimes in hiring mode.
Vince Lyttle was among the first in the door Friday at a job fair put on by K+S - a multibillion dollar potash company from Saskatchewan.
"Fortunately K+S has made themselves present in the area,” said Lyttle. “We're all happy to see them. Hopefully people will get a response from this. I'm sure there's a lot of people unsure of where they're going to be in the future."
K+S is building a new mine and production facility near Moose Jaw, and is looking to hire upwards of 120 skilled operators and trades people.
“We’re very excited to be here in New Brunswick with people who have that potash experience. It will be invaluable," said Mary-Ann Deutscher of K+S human resources.
Lyttle is an out of work electrician who worked on construction of the new Piccadilly mine that was closed on Wednesday.
Many of the laid off workers say they're still trying to process this week’s events.
"I woke up Tuesday morning to a text saying we're closing, and my boss called later in the day and I asked if I was required to come to work Thursday and he said, ‘No, we're done,’" said former mine employee April Glendenning.
Glendenning worked in the lab at the mine for 10 years. She, too, is thankful another company has come calling.
"Within days of us closing, to find out there's a job fair being held local, looking for us, it certainly is encouraging," said Glendenning.
The job fair goes all weekend.
"Stay together as a community and work together and welcome people like this into our community,” said Lyttle. “It's a great thing. We're all hoping for something positive."
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.
