Broken Arrow manufacturers in dire need of skilled workers
BY ZACK STOYCOFF World Staff Writer
Thursday, September 13, 2012
9/13/12 at 6:00 AM
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BROKEN ARROW - The city's manufacturers seriously need skilled workers, officials said during a Wednesday press conference.
Hundreds of workers are likely needed to fill openings at many of the city's 300 manufacturers, said Wes Smithwick, president of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce.
"They can't grow as fast as they want," he said. "They can't grow our economy as fast as we want because we just don't have the workers.
"This is a very good story in the sense that our manufacturers are doing so well, but it also means they need help."
The city has the third-most manufacturing companies in the state, behind Oklahoma City and Tulsa, he said. Most have fewer than 50 employees.
Smithwick said many high-tech manufacturing companies have asked the chamber for recruiting help in recent months, but he could not say how many are hiring. He said it seems like most need at least a few workers now or are planning to hire soon.
Baker Hughes, Hill Manufacturing, CymSTAR LLC and NOV Enerflow are among the companies that are hiring, according to a press release.
"We rely on our manufacturers to be the backbone of our community," Smithwick said. "They attract all the things we need to continue our city's primary economic growth."
Also at the news conference, Mayor Craig Thurmond asked workers in neighboring cities to consider moving to Broken Arrow, citing its quality of life.
The chamber has set up a website advertising job openings. The website can be found at tulsaworld.com/brokenarrowjobs
Original Print Headline: BA in dire need of skilled workers
Zack Stoycoff 918-581-8486
zack.stoycoff@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Broken Arrow Mayor Craig Thurmond discusses the city's employment prospects during a news conference in Broken Arrow on Wednesday MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World
Wes Smithwick, president of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, discusses the city's employment prospects with Mayor Craig Thurmond (left), Greg Perry of Baker Hughes and Alex Nick of CymSTAR during a news conference in Broken Arrow on Wednesday. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World
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