STELLARTON – In the wake of their announcement of 800 job cuts across the country, Sobeys Inc. announced on Monday the launch of a special initiative, the Sobeys Supports Program to help the approximately 100 people who lost their jobs in Stellarton.
Through the program employees who lost their jobs as a result of restructuring at the head office in Stellarton will receive support to pursue skills retraining or start a small business. The program seeks to give former Stellarton office Sobeys employees additional opportunities to transition into futures that reinvest in our communities.
The Sobeys Supports Program will cover 100 per cent of the cost of tuition, in two installments, in any Nova Scotia Community College program.
To support local economic development, the program also offers up to $300,000 in loan guarantees to former Stellarton office Sobeys employees to start their own business. Existing businesses that hire employees departing the Stellarton office may also be eligible. Sobeys will also subsidize interest on low-interest loans for those approved as part of the program.
“The heart, home and head office of Sobeys is in Stellarton and with that comes a special responsibility as stewards of our community,” said Jim Cooke, Director of the Sobeys Supports Program. “By providing tuition grants and business loan guarantees, we are committed to helping employees transition into new opportunities with as much support as possible.”
The business loan portion of this program is available to any business in the counties of Pictou, Antigonish, Colchester and Cumberland.
More information can be found at sobeyssupports.com.
