Spirit AeroSystems to hire 200 mechanics, technicians
BY D.R. STEWART World Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012
4/27/12 at 4:12 AM
Spirit AeroSystems Inc. is hiring 200 mechanics and skilled technicians to meet increased demand for aircraft components, company executives said Thursday.
Spirit will hold a job fair Tuesday through Thursday to interview qualified composite mechanics, sheet metal mechanics, logistical support technicians, painter processors and experienced first-level operations managers, company officials said.
"Our goal is to attract and retain the right people in the right positions to meet the needs of our customers around the world," said Mark Walker, senior manager of public affairs and communications. "Spirit needs to fill these positions to address rate increases and account for normal attrition rates.
"These job openings are aligned with our 2012 priorities and workforce demands, and bring even more value to our aerospace design/build capabilities."
Spirit, 3330 N. Mingo Road, employs 2,700 people, a 35 percent increase in the workforce from a year ago.
Spirit's drive to hire another 200 people would increase employment another 7.4 percent as the aircraft component manufacturer ramps up production for Boeing Co.
Walker said experienced mechanics, bonders and painters should apply for job openings at tulsaworld.com/makeitfly and follow up with a call to Spirit at 918-832-3012 to schedule an interview.
Spirit will hold an on-site career fair for experienced workers with an appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
Spirit also is teaming with Tulsa Technology Center to offer training in aircraft manufacturing in the areas of structural assembly and composites bonding.
To qualify for open positions, applicants must achieve the following entry-level scores on the WorkKeys assessments:
- Reading for Information: entry level 4 minimum;
- Applied Mathematics: entry level 3 minimum; and
- Locating Information: entry level 3 minimum.
Walker said WorkKeys assessments can be scheduled by contacting Tulsa Community College at 918-595-7534.
"After obtaining the entry-level score on WorkKeys assessments, individuals should contact Spirit AeroSystems at 918-832-3012," Walker said.
Wichita-based Spirit also has plants in McAlester, with 300 workers, and in Wichita, where 10,800 people are employed.
Substantial portions of the Wichita operation were down last week due to storm damage earlier this month. The plant returned to normal operations on Monday, company executives said.
The Spirit operations in Tulsa and McAlester manufacture integrated wing structures and a diverse line of aerospace products and services, including design, build, support and spares repair.
The Oklahoma plants produce composite and metallic wing components for the Boeing 737, 747, 777 and 787 commercial aircraft as well as control surface and floor beams for the Boeing 777 and Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACs) radomes.
Spirit is a one-time unit of Boeing. Onex Corp., a Toronto-based leveraged-buyout firm, bought the three Spirit plants for $1.2 billion in 2005.
In 2006, Spirit completed an initial public offering of stock.
Shares closed Thursday at $25.11, up 20 cents.
Boeing shares dropped 9 cents, closing at $76.99.
Job openings for mechanics and technicians
Who: Composite mechanics, sheet metal mechanics, logistical support technicians,
painter processors, experienced first-level operations managers
Where: Spirit AeroSystems Inc., 3330 N. Mingo Road, 918-832-3012
When: Career fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
by appointment only, at Spirit
More information: tulsaworld.com/spiritaero
Source: Spirit AeroSystems Inc.
Original Print Headline: Spirit AeroSystems to hire 200 workers
D.R. Stewart 918-581-8451
don.stewart@tulsaworld.com
