Former Thorngate employees reunite, reflect on new career paths

Tina Blyzes enjoyed working as plant manager at Thorngate Ltd. when she learned in late 2008 that a 28-year career was ending.

But instead of dwelling on the looming job loss, Blyzes turned the hapless situation into a second career.

After earning her Certified Nursing Assistant license in December through government-funded training, Blyzes began work as a nurse assistant at the Missouri Veterans Home on Jan. 5.

"I didn't know what I would do once it closed, but I wanted to get employed," Blyzes said Monday. "I had been there 28 years and many people had been there as long or longer [than myself].

"Everyone was used to their own comfort zone and then it was like someone walks in one day and says you no longer can use those skills you used on the job. We had to [reacquaint] ourselves with the world."

Fifty-five workers from Thorngate's Cape Girardeau and Chaffee, Mo., plants gathered Monday night to reminisce on their lives since both locations closed. Company officials blamed a lackluster economy for the closures.

The Chaffee plant, which manufactured sportswear, closed in July 1996. About 150 workers were affected when the closure was announced Feb. 15, 1996.

Meanwhile, Cape Girardeau's facility shut down operations in early 2009. The facility that manufactured high-end men's clothing eliminated 250 employees from its sewing department in November 2008 before shutting down the cutting department of 60 workers in February 2009.

Jim Arteme, an employee for 40 years at both facilities, said the reunion has been held on the Monday following Valentine's Day since the Chaffee plant closed. Monday was the first time the Cape Girardeau workers participated in the reunion.

Arteme said seeing his co-workers was like visiting with family.

"After you've spent 40 years with a group of people, they become like family members," Arteme said. "They're a great group of people who really mean a lot to me."

Arteme said unemployment checks helped to pay his bills until he secured a job as a facility operations specialist at the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. Courthouse in October. He credits a computer course paid for through the Trade Readjustment Act for helping hone his skills for his current job. The federal program includes unemployment payments, a partial subsidy to continue health insurance coverage and tuition assistance for up to two years.

"The plant closing was a shock to us, but like [it did for] a lot of my counterparts, the government helped pay for a lot of what helped us find new jobs," Arteme said. "I'm living proof that living through the change turned out to be a good thing in the end."

Becky Atwood, coordinator of adult education and literacy for the Cape Girardeau School District, said two former Thorngate employees have taken classes to update reading, language and math skills while another nine completed GED test preparation classes through the district's adult learning center. Atwood said that seven of those taking the GED preparation classes passed the exam.

She calls the Thorngate employees some of her most dedicated and reliable students. Atwood said those passing the GED test have attended Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing, Metro Business College, the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center and a veterinary assistant program in St. Louis.

"I believe that these students took the loss of their employment and turned it into an opportunity for a new and more promising future," Atwood said. "They found themselves capable of more than they ever believed possible when they entered our classroom."

While some former Thorngate employees took GED test preparation classes, others took advantage of computer skills classes at Abbey Road Christian Church. Randy McLain is among those who taught some fellow former Thorngate employees necessary computer skills he felt are needed in the workplace.

McLain said the effort is a way to keep his time occupied while he draws unemployment benefits and looks for permanent work.

"It's been tougher than I thought it would be," said McLain, who worked last year for a few months at a bank. "There seems to be more and more out there, and that's encouraging."

For those still searching for employment, Scott Sattler, manager of business and industry for the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri, advises a person to take advantage of resources such as the Career and Technology Center, Adult Learning Center and websites such as missouricareersource.com.

He also advises building upon a network of potential sources for employment.

"Those can be at church, at civic organizations, anything you're a member of," Sadler said. "A lot of jobs are not posted and are obtained through networking. Just don't give up hope throughout the process."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

760 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

1507 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

2411 Abbey Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

555 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO