Jenkins' workforce is ready to work
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

This sign in the Georgia Department of Labor Transitional Center is indicative of the local efforts to promote and further train Jenkins County's core workforce. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

While many business owners complain of not being able to find good workers, local employers have just the opposite problem - dependable, willing workers but few jobs to offer them.

Jenkins County's core workforce of 3,355 has suffered over 400 job losses the last year with the closing of the Jockey International, M.I. Windows and Doors and a Cavalier Home Builders plant. The job losses have repeatedly kept Jenkins County listed among the counties in the state with the highest unemployment rates, ranking it first in October 2007. There may be, however, a silver lining to that dark cloud - a better trained core workforce.

Officials at the Georgia Department of Labor Transitional Center in Millen notes that approximately 110 of the unemployed have elected to continue their education or to get their General Education Diplomas as they re-enter the job market, which translates into a better trained core workforce.

Jenkins County is also a pilot community for the Georgia Work Ready Program, an initiative that is comprised of a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses.

"Implementing this initiative will move our citizens toward having the talent necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies most new jobs require," said Julie Chance, co-chair of the initiative for Jenkins County.

Participants in the program who earn the Certified Work Ready Certificate enhance their employability. The certifi- cate indicates that job applicants have the necessary skills to serve as a foundation for training and that they are willing and able to work and learn.

Jenkins County has also earned the "Entrepreneur Friendly" designation by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, indicative of community leaders' desire to build a supportive environment not just for major industries but also for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The designation qualifies local entrepreneurs and small businesses for customized market data, an Entrepreneur Friendly grant and other longterm programs.

"Jenkins County has a core workforce that is trained, ready and willing to work. We have workers who have years of experience in textile manufacturing, windows and doors production and manufactured housing. They also have a willingness to learn and train for new jobs. We also have community leaders who are willing to cooperate with perspective industries in every way possible to bring jobs to our community. We have several commercial and industrial buildings ready for occupancy and are working toward developing our two newest industrial parks," said Paula Herrington, Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce executive director.

"We just need for someone to take a look at locating an industry in Jenkins County and to give serious consideration to all that we have to offer. The old saying that big surprises often come in small packages is certainly true of Millen and Jenkins County," Herrington added.

Herrington may be contacted at the Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce at (478) 982-5595.