A Government task force is to set up a Forfar event in a bid to help the workers hit by the collapse of town firm Ross & Bonnyman.
Last week the town was rocked by confirmation that the Roberts Street company had plunged into liquidation leaving 80 staff facing a bleak future.
The company, one of Forfar’s longest standing manufacturing businesses, was a one-time market leader in the tail lift field, with a near £8 million turnover in 2009.
However, it is thought a failure to quickly restructure following the sale of its commercial vehicle parts division last year played a key part in its collapse.
Liquidators have expressed the hope that a sale of the assets and business will be achievable, but the uncertainty facing the workforce was raised at Holyrood on Thursday and drew a promise of support for those facing the dole queue.
During First Minster’s Question Time, Angus North & Mearns SNP MSP Nigel Don highlighted the plight of the workers and asked what support the Scottish Government can provide to ensure the highly skilled workforce find new employment as swiftly as possible.
Alex Salmond said he shared the concerns of Mr Don, and assured him that the Scottish Government is taking action to support those who have lost their jobs.
He confirmed that the local PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) team will be holding an event in the Reid Hall in Forfar shortly to help those made redundant.
Reacting to the pledge, Mr Don said: ”The closure of Ross & Bonnyman will have a heavy impact on Forfar and the surrounding area.
”I welcome the reassurances from the First Minster that the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies are taking steps to ensure those who have lost their jobs can find gainful employment as swiftly as possible.”