Layoffs are an unfortunate reality for millions of workers each year. Based on data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), annual average monthly layoffs and discharges ranged from about 1.4 million to 3.4 million between 2016 and 2025, with the highest averages occurring during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
For many, layoffs create uncertainty, but for some, it opens the door to a new path. When KD lost his job after five years working as an estimator, he found himself in a position many professionals face – figuring out what comes next. His former employer recommended him to Matern Staffing. Shortly after, he stepped into a role at a global IT asset disposition company in Fredericksburg, opening the door to new career growth.
Bring the Heart, Find it Here
KD started as a contract Computer Recycling Specialist with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Matern Staffing helped the transition by coordinating a facility tour and placing him on his preferred shift. With that foundation in place, he focused on doing the work, learning the operation, and building relationships with the team.
“The best experience you can have going into a new company is just having an open mind and ears to learn.” – KD N.
KD describes his work environment as a global company with a local feel. “Everybody knows everybody here, and it really feels like a family,” he shares. He credits the team environment and supportive culture for making it a great place to build a career. That combination, a willingness to learn from him and a welcoming environment from the company, created a reciprocal opportunity where growth happened naturally.
A Day in the Life: Keeping Everyone Safe
Today, KD serves as the plant’s Environment, Health, and Safety Coordinator, a role that grew out of his dedication and initiative. He walks the plant floor daily, spotting hazards and keeping employees safe. “I try and keep everybody aware of the everyday dangers that lurk behind every corner,” he says.
The position requires vigilance and specialized safety training, all of which KD pursued to prepare for the responsibilities of leadership. Since stepping into the role, he has worked with the new national management to identify previously unknown safety gaps, address lapses, and strengthen protocols across the plant. His journey from contract worker to permanent employee and now a salaried safety leader illustrates how consistent effort, learning, and initiative can create meaningful career growth.
Advice for Job Seekers
Going through a layoff can feel like standing at the edge of an uncertain gap. But sometimes, that gap becomes a bridge. This bridge isn’t built overnight. It’s constructed piece by piece through hard work, initiative, and the willingness to grow.
For anyone navigating career transitions, KD’s journey is a reminder that the path forward is often paved by the effort you put in. He encourages job seekers to embrace growth opportunities. “Just work hard, believe in yourself, and you will be rewarded,” he says.
By showing up every day, learning the ins and outs of the plant, and embracing each challenge, he built a path from contract worker to permanent employee and ultimately to a leadership role. personal mantra reinforces this:
“If you think about every day at work being your interview, you will succeed.” – KD N.
Now It’s Your Turn
Are you ready to take a leap into a new career? Check our Jobs page to learn about our open opportunities – both direct hire and contract-to-hire openings.