When more than 3,000 people show up to apply for just 300 jobs at a new plant in LaGrange, it’s obvious there is fierce competition for a scarcity of jobs in Troup County.

Vickie Cox was one of the 3,000 standing in line to get an application, see a film about Sewon and leave hoping she had a chance at a regular paycheck. While Cox is still waiting to hear the words, “You’re hired,” she does have a little more edge than some. She’s completed the work-readiness program at the Walt Harris Resource Center.

In March, the resource center, started by NFL player and LaGrange native Walt Harris’ non-profit organization Walt’s World, will start its third round of 10-week work readiness classes for adults. The night classes are two hours each, twice a week, and are led by community volunteers from West Georgia Technical College, local businesses and churches.

“Our goal is to get them a job,” said Renee Adams, director of the resource center. “We teach interview skills, goal-setting, resume writing, all they need to get and keep a job.”

The classes also include a WorkKeys assessment that can help employers match applicants with jobs where they can be successful.

While many of the participants in the program have been court-ordered to attend the classes, Cox heard about it and signed up.

“I’d knocked on every door, but couldn’t find a job. I felt like I was missing something or doing something wrong. When I heard about this, I decided to try it,” said Cox, who was a star basketball player at LaGrange High School and later played semi-professional basketball.

After completing the classes, Cox has been working with Adams to find job opportunities.

“I’ve been on more than 10 interviews so far,” she said.

While several of the work-readiness participants have gotten jobs, Cox, who made a high score on her WorkKeys test, is one who hasn’t been so fortunate.

“It’s disappointing when there just aren’t enough jobs for us to send people to,” Adams said. “We work with a variety of organizations to get people ready and when they come here like Vickie - they want to learn - they do well. This is just a hard time to find a job.”

Walt Harris Resource Center will open its next series of classes to 25 people who want to attend. There is no charge for the classes.

— The next work-readiness class will begin March 3. Classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for 10 weeks. To register for the classes, call (706) 416-2743.