News release, June 13, 2007A

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996

Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

June 13, 2007.........................................................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State labor department's 13th annual job fair to be televised statewide
ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor's 13th annual televised job fair will be carried statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) Sunday, June 24, from 2-4 p.m. The live broadcast, entitled Job Fair 2007, will originate from Atlanta and Albany, and be simulcast over WALB-TV10.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said, "Job Fair 2007 will give viewers an excellent opportunity to better understand the services available through the Georgia Department of Labor, its workforce partners, and Georgia's statewide employment security system. Viewers will also learn about the department's listings of hundreds of job openings available throughout the state. At the Georgia Department of Labor, we believe that there is a job for every Georgian and a Georgian for every job."

Job Fair 2007 will feature the services available for workers in Jenkins and Laurens counties, and other areas hit by plant closures and layoffs, to assist them in transitioning into new and promising careers. Viewers will learn how the labor department is assisting in the recovery of Americus, which was ravaged by tornados earlier this year. Job Fair 2007 will showcase the department's Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation (RWSIR) and Georgia Industries for the Blind and how they are helping people with disabilities to lead productive, selfsupportive lives. The department's services to youth, which help make it possible for thousands of Georgia youth to have summer employment, will also be featured.

"We partner with the Georgia Department of Labor to produce Jobs in Georgia and the Job Fair for our radio and television networks each year because we know the programs provide valuable opportunities for Georgians," said GPB Executive Director Nancy Hall. "Last year, 2,800 people called in and talked directly with a job counselor. We're proud that GPB can provide this important service for the state."

This will be the third consecutive year that the annual job fair will originate from Atlanta and Albany.

"WALB is very happy to continue to support the Georgia Department of Labor in this annual commitment to employment opportunities across Georgia," said WALB-TV10 General Manager Jim Wilcox, "and we're thrilled to have Commissioner Thurmond again hosting portions of the job fair from south Georgia."

Among the guests scheduled to appear on Job Fair 2007 are economist Kenneth Heaghney, research professor of economics at Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Public Policy; Willie Adams, M.D., mayor of Albany; State Rep. Winfred Dukes, Albany; and Greg Schmieg, executive director of RWSIR.
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JOB FAIR 2007 LAST ADD
Career experts will be available to answer questions from viewers across the state who wish to call during the job fair. Viewers may also ask questions and receive immediate answers over the Internet. Job Fair 2007 will be Webcast, which will allow people to watch via the Internet. To participate in the Web cast, or ask questions, visit the labor department's Web site at www.dol.state.ga.us.
Job Fair 2007 will be hosted by Mike Kavanagh, of WSB Radio 750, and Karla Heath-Sands, of WALB-TV10. Other celebrities scheduled to participate in the job fair are Rhubarb Jones, of Eagle 106.7; Jim Wallace and Ruthie Garner, both of WALB-TV10; Rickey Bevington, of GPB Radio; Aungelique Proctor, of Fox 5 TV; and Silas Alexander, of WAJM-FM 102.5
Job Fair 2007 will be re-broadcast Monday, June 25, from 1-3 a.m. on GPB's nine-station network viewable in every county in Georgia, and to significant portions of surrounding states. GPB's stations include: Atlanta's WGTV/8, Savannah's WVAN/9, Columbus' WJSP/28, Macon's WDCO/29, Augusta's WCES/20, Chatsworth's WCLP/18, Waycross' WXGA/8, Albany's WABW/14 and Dawson's WACS/25.
Two days prior to Job Fair 2007, on Friday, June 22, from 3-4 p.m., Commissioner Thurmond and staff from the labor department will participate in Jobs in Georgia: A Special Call-in over GPB Radio and simulcast over WCLK-FM 91.9 in Atlanta. The program will be hosted by GPB Radio producer Rickey Bevington. Listeners will be able to call during the program to ask about the current state of the job market and the wide variety of career resources provided by the labor department.
The toll-free telephone number for listeners to call during the program is 1-866-RADIOGA (1866-723-4642). A taped re-play of the program will be rebroadcast Sunday, June 24, at 10 a.m. on GPB Radio.
GPB is heard on the following 16 stations: Albany - 91.7 FM, Athens - 91.7 FM, Augusta - 90.7 FM, Brunswick - 88.9 FM, Carrollton - 90.7 FM, Columbus - 88.1 FM, Dahlonega - 89.5 FM, Demorest - 88.3 FM, Fort Gaines - 90.9 FM, Macon - 89.7 FM, Rome 97.7 FM, Savannah 91.1 FM, St. Marys - 1190 AM, Tifton - 91.1 FM, Valdosta - 91.7 FM, Waycross - 90.1 FM.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD CALL (404) 2323685.
CY-07-209