For those waiting for the local suppliers to open applications, the wait is almost over.

Staring today, March 10, Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) is seeking applicants for a training program that will provide maintenance technicians and production operators for Hysco America Company’s new Greenville manufacturing facility.

According to Phyllis M. Wesley, communications coordinator, this is only the beginning of the process for hiring at the new plant.

The initial hires are strictly to get the plant up and running and to meet the needs of Hyundai as it begins various test runs.

The plants will not be fully operational until 2005.

&uot;They have said when they are fully staffed they will employ 125,&uot; she said.

&uot;Right now we want to get people trained for the initial startup of Hysco which will supply Hyundai for its startup.&uot;

Butler County Commission for Economic Development Executive Director Ricky McLaney was pleased about the call for training applications.

&uot;I’m excited to hear about this and I hope it will lead the others to do the same,&uot; he said Tuesday afternoon from the Depot. &uot;Now we just hope that we can get some good people in there to train for the jobs.&uot;

Those good people he hopes for must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 19-years-old. Candidates must be able to work first or second shift schedules, and overtime as needed to meet customer needs.

Wesley said it important for people to understand that these are for startup position only, but it is vital to get into the process quickly.

&uot;We want people into the process so that we can get people trained and ready to work so that when the hiring schedules do open up, we’re ready,&uot; she said.

&uot;There is not a close date at this point.

However, after we get the first several hundred applications in, we may stop at that point.

So it’s a very good idea to get in there as soon as possible and fill out the application.&uot;

The two types of positions up for grabs are maintenance technicians and production operators.

In addition to the general requirements, maintenance technician candidates also must have at least three years of maintenance experience in a steel or manufacturing industry setting.

They must also have skills in pneumatics and hydraulics, programmable controls, electrical wiring and distribution.

Production operator candidates must have at least one year of experience in manufacturing or a fast-paced environment. Applicants with assembly experience are preferred.

Applications for training become available Wednesday, March 10 at the Alabama Career Center at 117 W. Commerce St. in Greenville. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Wages, based on skills and experience, for successful trainees hired by Hysco America start at $8.50 per hour.

Hysco America employee benefits include medical insurance, a retirement plan and paid holidays.

McLaney said this is only the beginning and he hopes Hwashin is not far behind.

&uot;We have been encouraging them to do this,&uot; he said. &uot;We are hoping that Hwashin will do the same. They hired a human resources person recently and we hope that they will follow suit.&uot;

AIDT training programs are conducted at night to allow trainees to continue working at their current jobs while attending training that is provided at no cost to trainees.

Hysco America does not pay trainees while they are enrolled in the training program. Successful completion of the AIDT training program can lead to employment. However, employment with the company is not guaranteed for all trainees.

Information about the training program is available at the AIDT web site www.aidt.edu/companyjobs.html and the ASES web site www.es.dir.alabama.gov.

AIDT, part of the state’s two-year college system, was established to develop and coordinate training programs for companies that are creating jobs in Alabama through startup or expansion.