Retrenched staff of KingGee have a message for the 250 Illawarra textile workers facing unemployment in the coming months: "There's life after factory work."The picture of happiness, displayed at a farewell luncheon yesterday, was a far cry from the heartbreak suffered in February when Pacific Brands announced the retrenchment of 281 staff from KingGee Bellambi and Bonds Unanderra.Workers who spoke to the Mercury expressed a fear of not being able to re-enter the workforce, especially after more than 20 years in the industry.That grief was repeated on Tuesday when Poppets Schoolwear at Fairy Meadow was forced to lay off 47 of 76 textile workers after losing a major Lowes contract to China.Judy Mills was devastated at being laid off at the age of 58, after 17 years with Poppets.But Mrs Mills and others like her can take heart from the outgoing 74 staff of KingGee.After 20 years as a machinist and cutter with the company, Primbee's Marie Dore will begin training as an assistant in nursing with Hammond Care in October.Dianne McGrath believed she would be unemployable after 29 years as a machinist.The Berkeley woman is now optimistic after signing up for a retail course with Australian Training Services.Shell Cove father of two Ian Craig, 49, a maintenance co-ordinator for 25 years, has begun training with the hope of establishing a small business.A show of hands revealed that most of the former employees had either found work or were enrolled in training courses.Mr Craig said the reason for the positive outlook was due to the assistance of Pacific Brands."You couldn't fault it. I don't think any other company in the country has done what Pacific Brands has done for us," he said.This included giving the workforce a day off last Friday, followed by a farewell barbecue at the factory on Tuesday before they were let go at 1pm.