Umoe to seek engineers, managers soon
(October 9th, 2009, Miramichi Leader, Daniel Martins)
Umoe Solar's Human Resources director said the company will soon be looking to hire for engineering and management positions in the company.
Ernst Anderson said the planned silicon plant is still a couple of years away from even being operational, and actual production workers will be hired closer to the start-up date.
"We have to do a lot of preparation to start with, and this will take a long time," he said. "But what we are actually doing first is, we're looking for engineer people, we're looking for technicians ... then we'll come for the workers."
He said the company was looking for experienced people with high-end skills and he hoped most could be Miramichiers.
"If you did have some good people from Miramichi area, and they don't have any job in Miramichi, they will leave Miramichi," he said.
"These people we are looking for. They may be working elsewhere in Canada, and we will ask them to come back."
Anderson said the process for hiring engineers and some management would begin in the next few weeks, with advertising beginning soon.
Information on what positions will be advertised, and what qualifications will be needed, will also be posted on Umoe Solar's website, www.umoesolar.com, which Anderson said would be up and running soon.
He stressed, however, that hiring for the production process would only occur closer to the start up date, which was expected to be some time in 2012. Construction is hoped to begin Spring 2010.
"What we are looking for is engineering people, with an engineering degree, and project people," he said. "It will take time before it comes down to the workers and, before that, ... people will find jobs on the construction site."
He said Umoe Solar would not limit the worker pool to former UPM employees.
"When we are looking for people, we are looking for everybody who will be able to do this job, have the best classifications," he said. "We have no obligation to former UPM workers."
He said the company will have to set up plans to train production workers, and will do so closer to when the plant begins operation.
Umoe Solar bought the former UPM site in Newcastle early this year, and is currently having unneeded structures on the site demolished.
Construction on the new plant, which is scheduled for April 2010, is expected to require between 600 and 1,000 workers. When the plant starts up, hopefully in 2012, the initial employment goal is 300 workers.