Company On The Lookout For 500 Workers

Cessna says its jet manufacturing business is so good the company needs to hire another 500 sheet metal workers -- the second time since October that the company has decided to add to the workforce.

The company's plan to hire new workers comes after executives announced Cessna will deliver more aircraft this year than last. In 2004, Cessna delivered 181 jet aircraft. This year, spokeswoman Jessica Myers told the Wichita Eagle Cessna will deliver 235.

"We started to see an economic recovery, and that's trickled its way to the aviation industry," she said.

Myers said some of the first people to be considered for the metal working jobs will be those company workers laid off during the downturn that has plagued the industry since 2001. After sending letters to those people, Myers said Cessna received about 50 replies. Other applicants will attend an orientation session, where they'll hear a speech, watch a video and take tests. The resumes and scores will be passed along to the corporate offices.

FMI: www.cessnajobs.com