Offering job training and placement services for laid-off mill workers and others looking to improve their employment prospects, the McComb Workforce Investment Network (WIN) Job Center opened a temporary field office Thursday in Gloster.

WIN Director Stan McMorris said the new office will be staffed from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.Monday through Friday.

McMorris said although the office will assist some 300 workers displaced after the 2002 closing of Georgia-Pacific’s Gloster Plywood Mill, its services are available to everyone.

&uot;Any member of the public can come here for our services, which include job training programs and assistance with job searches and resume writing,&uot; McMorris said.

McMorris said the training programs are provided in conjunction with Southwest Community College and funded through the Workforce Investment Act.

&uot;We can help identify an individual’s training needs. And anytime we see a group of applicants in need of training for specific job, we’ll work toward training those people,&uot; he said.

McMorris said a group of 10 welders are expected to soon earn certification through a special training class that started at SWCC on June 1.

&uot;We’ve also had some interest in starting a nurses aide class&uot;” he said.

Shari Foster and her daughter, Rayla, both of Gloster, used computers in the center Thursday to hone their resumes and learn how various office management software programs work.

&uot;I’ve already sent out three job applications this week,&uot; Shari said.

Former GP plant controller Early Harvey, who retired from the Closter mill after 36 years, will help staff the new office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

&uot;It helps make the GP workers feel more comfortable, having someone they know here. I’ve had calls every day since they found out we were going to be here,&uot; Harvey said.

Harvey did not have figures available on how many of the former mill workers have since located new jobs, but said the project would be evaluated and may be extended after the first six months.

The project will also offer on-the-job training and reimbursement to employers for half the wages of workers who might not otherwise qualify for jobs.

McMorris said on-the-job training hours are determined by a guide according to each job category.

The Gloster WIN office is located in the former Southwest Mississippi Opportunity Building on Main Street. The Mississippi Employment Security Commission signed a six-month, rent-free contract on the building, which is owned by Amite County.