2,600 apply for jobs at new wind turbine plant (Iowa)

[jpak]

http://www.dailygate.com/articles/2006/12/14/news/02.txt

About 2,600 people applied Saturday for hourly jobs at the Siemens Corp. wind turbine plant that will begin operating in Fort Madison next year. The company has announced the plant will employ about 250, which includes salaried workers.

“We didn't really know what to expect,” said Pam Jackson, supervisor of the Iowa Workforce Development offices in Keokuk and Fort Madison. “We probably were expecting 3,000 to 4,000, but we're not disappointed with the numbers. We got some good applicants.”

About 1,100 people turned in applications at the Keokuk Middle School compared to about 1,500 at Fort Madison High School.

Although Iowa Workforce Development has not broken down the figures for applications from currently employed versus unemployed people, Jackson said, “We certainly saw an even balance between those employed and unemployed.”

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[azurnoir]

1. So lets see that's about

10.4 applicants for every job, what's that unemployment rate again?

[flamin lib]

2. That simply isn't possible. I have it on good authority that the

unemployment rate is only 4%, so that many people could not possibly be out of work and making applications.

[JohnWxy]

5. That's right. Mr. bush says the economy is going great. I mean, corporate profits are up.

That's all that matters isn't it? I'm sure glad the GOP gave all thosE tax cuts on Capital Gains and Dividend income. That helps out people who work for a paycheck so much! We can build a strong growing economy on increased sales of second homes, yachts and Porsches, can't we?

[Frustratedlady]

3. There have been a lot of factories that have closed down...

or downsized in the southeastern section of Iowa. People are desperate for good, decent paying jobs. It's either flipping hamburgers at McDonald's or offering customers an empty cart at Wal-Mart. Those jobs don't put much meat and potatoes on the table.

[jpak]

4. Dem leadership take note....

renewable energy = jobs = Dem voters.

Good paying renewable energy jobs in rural red 'Merica trumps GOP Gawd-Gays-'n-Guns hands down.