GPTV to feature local organizations
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The closing of the local Jockey International plant and subsequent mass layoff has attracted the attention of Georgia Public Television (GPTV). News and camera crews from the station were in Millen last week filming and talking with students and employees at the Swainsboro Technical College (STC) Adult Learning Center, Georgia Department of Labor Transitional Office and the Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce.

Sam Hall, Georgia Department of Labor director of communications, explained that the segment on Jenkins County would be part of a GPTV broadcast that would air June 24 between 2-7 p.m. The program will call attention to employment problems facing rural communities across the state and specifically how governments and organizations in Jenkins County have worked together to assist Jockey employees who lost their jobs.

Mr. Hall called attention to the fact that 110 of the 206 Jockey employees who lost jobs have decided to continue their education, the largest percentage doing so out of any mass layoffs in the state. Former Jockey employees have enrolled at Swainsboro Technical College, Ogeechee Technical College, Augusta Technical College and East Georgia College.

Elaine Williams of the STC Adult Learning Center explained that this has occurred because the employees recognized that they would have to seek employment outside the textile industry and needed additional training in order to do so. Others have already found employment and some who are nearing retirement age have elected not to seek employment.

"We just want everyone to know that we are here to help," Williams said.