Where are Vauxhall's 2002 casualties now?

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History may be repeating itself at Vauxhall in Luton

Vauxhall Motors shed 1,900 jobs at its Luton car plant in 2002, leaving employees weighing up voluntary redundancy against taking a job in the nearby Vauxhall van plant.

Now, seven years on, Vauxhall's current workers are bracing themselves for more job losses.

BBC News tracked down two men who lost their jobs back in 2002 to find out how they reacted and what they are up to now.

BOB HILLS, VAN PLANT PRODUCTION OPERATOR

Bob Hills, from Stopsley in Bedfordshire, had been a production operator for 12 years at Vauxhall's car plant, when in 2002 news of the plant closure broke. Today, like many others from the car plant, Mr Hills, now 52, works in the same role at the van plant. For the second time in seven years, he faces losing his job again but is remaining philosophical.

My job was to add components to cars, repair paint defects. The work was fine and I enjoyed the money. You had to work for your money, but it was very good money. I was on the track, where cars come in, when we heard on the radio that Vauxhall in Luton was shutting down. The story had been 'accidentally' leaked. I was shocked. At that moment it was difficult to process. It did not take long though before I was in IBC [the van plant], working again as a production operator. I would say 80-85% went to IBC. Anyone who wanted to move could be transferred there. There were no enforced redundancies. Some did say 'bring on voluntary redundancy' but when reality struck home, people still wanted a well-paid job. The working environment has changed. They expect a lot more out of you, as with any manufacturing industry, you have to embrace new, leaner strategies. I think a lot of people are quite philosophical about the latest news. I have been down that road with Vauxhall. You can't do nothing about it. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. It's a case of 'wait and see'. Obviously I'm worried that there are no jobs at the rate I'm on, and I might end up taking the government's minimum wage. My wife and I have been looking at selling up and moving to the Midlands or the North where the cost of living is much lower. I would have to get different work and would not get £14 an hour.

MARK APICELLA, EX-VAUXHALL WORKER Mark took voluntary redundancy and explored the world

As a leading project engineer in 2002, Mark Apicella had been working on a project for the latest Vectra model, when the shock announcement came of the plant closure. He never finished the project which was handed over to his colleagues at the Ellesmere Port branch. Now aged 42 and living in Sheffield, he looks back on his time at Vauxhall with fond memories and considers his job loss an opportunity.

I left school, did an apprenticeship at Vauxhall and was there for 17 years. I loved my job. Vauxhall was an excellent company to work for, they looked after their employees. Perhaps at the time, people didn't appreciate it.

When the news broke on BBC radio of the plant closure, my job finished. There was no point in carrying on with the project. It was all hands to the pump to get all the car orders finished.

There was disbelief to start with. Later that afternoon, management pulled my department together to explain what was happening and said the BBC announcement had been regrettable.

The next day individuals were sent redundancy letters. Vauxhall was good with the packages, the over-50s could take their pension in full, and the redundancy pay-outs were generous.

The company endeavoured to keep as many employees as possible. Many went across the road to the van plant.

In my view, Vauxhall did as much as they could - we got funding from the government for retraining and counselling for workers and their families.

I took advantage of the training on offer and did a diploma in management studies with the University of Luton.

I took the voluntary redundancy package and went travelling for a year - to Southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

While I was away, I decided never to go back into the automotive industry. I could see the writing on the wall.

So I came home and decided to get a job. I then went back to university and now work for rail company, Signalling Solutions. I have completed the foundation level of railway infrastructure engineering and am now finishing off the course at Honours level.

I have no intention of going back to Bedfordshire but I look back on my career at Vauxhall with fond memories.

I'm the type of person that won't cry over it. I will move on, but I won't forget the time I had.

The message I would convey to others is if you have change forced upon you, make the most of it and look forwards, rather than backwards.