Sign with the slogan: "If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It," guiding applicants to parking slots at Sewon's job fair at West Georgia Technical College at Lagrange, Ga., Feb. 9, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)
Thousands of job applicants are hoping for a shot at a spot with a major supplier for Kia's car plant under construction in western Georgia.
Hundreds of hopeful job applicants waiting their turn to fill in applications at West Georgia Technical College at Lagrange, for positions with Sewon on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)
John Wade Riddle of Lagrange has been unemployed for several months. He worked for 25-years in a carpet mill, and hopes to make the switch to the auto industry:
”I’m hoping. I mean, they’re hiring 700 people, and we had about 6-700 this morning, from the looks of it, you know. But I’m hoping, with my background and everything, hoping they’re looking for someone with a little experience.”Riddle just applied with Sewon America which needs people to build body parts for Kia’s assembly line in nearby West Point.
A Georgia Department of Labor team member guides job applicants waiting on line at West Georgia Technical College at Lagrange, to rooms where they'll apply for positions with Sewon on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)
Overall, officials expect some 4,000 people to apply during the three day job fair at West Georgia Technical College.
Some started lining up at midnight from as far away as Louisiana, Alabama and other parts of Georgia.
A translator (not visible here) assisted Spanish-speaking applicants in filling out forms at a table outside the application center. (Photo: Dave Bender)
John Johnson drove down early this morning from Douglasville, west of Atlanta.
But he’s a bit discouraged by the sheer number of people in line ahead of and behind him who all have the same idea:
"…not with nine million people [who are] going to be here! Brother – you got a lot of people out of work – point blank."With five mouths to feed, Johnson is betting his 20-years experience in auto paint and bodywork increase his chances.
He’s not thrilled about the ten dollar an hour starting salary, listed on a company flyer (see image below).
Sewon job application form. Click on image for close-up. (Photo: Dave Bender)
Johnson says his experience should count for something, and make his hour-long commute worthwhile. Looking over the starting salary chart, he says:
"...hopefully more pay than what they're talking about on this paper, ‘cause experience is what counts – well, what used to count. Nowadays, experience don’t mean nothin’."
Job seekers fill in application forms in a classroom at West Georgia Technical College at Lagrange, for positions with Sewon on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)
As applicants hand over their forms, they pass by a Sewon promotional film showing happy Korean Sewon employees.
"Sewon’s bold challenges are just the beginning…" an announcer says.Those at the fair will find out in the next few weeks, if they’ll join their ranks.
Labor department spokesman Sam Hall says the department processed more than 300 applications by midmorning today. Hundreds are still waiting to turn theirs in.
All applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and manufacturing experience is preferred. The Quick Start office in LaGrange is accepting applications from 8 AM to 9 PM through Wednesday.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of the Kia facility, and its suppliers.
