Aviation jobs target of local recruitment campaign
There are approximately 50 tough-to-fill jobs open at STANDARDAERO of Springfield.
Workforce development has been a buzzword for years for local economic development efforts, with the goal of training local workers for the local jobs available. Aircraft maintenance and repair company StandardAero has often been offered as an example of well-paying skilled jobs that often go unfilled for lack of qualified applicants.
The company, with aid from Lincoln Land Community College, has begun a recruitment drive for aviation mechanics, aircraft painters, upholsterers, avionics installation technicians and sheet-metal workers. StandardAero is among the largest private employers based at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, with a workforce of 250.
"It's very tough to fill these jobs, which are highly skilled," said Sandy Sayarath, StandardAero's human resources manager. "We recruit for these positions from all over the country."
Sayarath said the openings result from a combination of increased customer orders and overall company expansion.
The Springfield plant is among 13 primary facilities in the United States, Canada, Europe, Singapore and Asia. StandardAero just became a part of New York private equity firm Veritas Capital through a $2.1 billion buyout from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. The aircraft repair and maintenance business at the Springfield airport began with Capital Aviation Co. in 1947.
StandardAero and LLCC also have launched an internship program for on-the-job training. The LLCC aviation training program is based at the airport. Three interns have been hired, and offers are planned for at least three more.
"While they're in school, they'll keep them working weekends," said David Pietrzak, director of LLCC's aviation program. "If they realize they're a good match for the company, they'll offer them a full-time position."
The StandardAero website, including the "Careers" link, is standardaero.com. Information on the LLCC aviation training program is available through the "Career Training" link at llcc.edu or by calling 544-4965.
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A partnership between HANSON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES of Springfield and HUTSON & ASSOCIATES of Alton has been awarded a $15 million contract from the U.S. Navy.
An announcement last week from Hanson said the award was through a mentor-protege collaboration between Hanson and the smaller Alton firm. The Navy contract is for engineering and telecommunications work at the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, California, according to the announcement.
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Springfield has major festival two weekends in a row this year as a result of schedule changes approved by Downtown Springfield Inc. The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival wraps up today. Friday and Saturday, it's the OLD CAPITOL BLUES & BBQ. Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
The blues and barbecue festival traditionally had been held in August, but it was moved to take advantage of cooler weather and to avoid competition with the Illinois State Fair. Additional information is available at downtownspringfield.org.
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Another city event, the INTERNATIONAL CARILLON FESTIVAL, has been named among the "Top 100 Events in North America" by the American Bus Association. The list is published in the association's September-October issue of Destinations magazine. Events are nominated by association members.
In an announcement of the list, association president and CEO Peter Pantuso called the carillon festival " don't miss entertainment" for tour bus operators.
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DADDY O'S MUSIC SHACK, 1405 Stevenson Drive, Suite 7, has added 750 square feet of guitar and accessories space. The store, owned by Doug Antonacci, is in its 14th year.
The website is daddyosmusicshack.com. The phone number is 529-4840.
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CHARMING CHARLIE is the latest addition to White Oaks Plaza following an extensive renovation of the shopping center on Veterans Parkway in Springfield.
The retailer specializes in fashion jewelry, handbags, small leather goods, footwear, apparel, watches and similar accessories. The Springfield store is the 21st in Illinois, according to the Houston-based company. The announcement said up to 55 stores would be added this year. The retailer, online at charmingcharlie.com, has 350 stores in the United States, Canada and the Middle East.
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Retail development continues near Wabash Avenue and Interstate 72. A committee of the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission is scheduled to consider plans for the WABASH CENTRE development Oct. 8.
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An auction of equipment, including a walk-in freezer and cooler, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the former ROCHESTER VILLAGE MARKET. The closing more than a year ago left Rochester without a full-service grocery for the first time in decades. Auctioneer Cory Craig of Taylorville is in charge of the sale.
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A STATE FARM insurance office has opened at 2555 E. Andrew Road in Sherman. Jenifer Sellers is the agent. The phone number is 496-2333. The website is jenfromsf.com.
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CARPET WEAVERS FLOORING has added a store at 386 W. Washington St. in the East Peoria Levee District. The Peoria-based retailer now has locations in 10 central Illinois cities. The Springfield store is at 4251 Conestoga Drive in the Prairie Crossing development.
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WAND-TV Channel 17's digital channel COZI TV has moved to the high-definition tier on Comcast cable. COZI features classic shows from the 1950s through the 1980s, movies and lifestyle programming.
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Construction permits filed or approved last week at the Springfield Building and Zoning Department:
* PETTYWORKS, 3220 Executive Drive, office building.
* QIK-N-EZ, 1995 W. Monroe St., remodeling.
* HONEYWELL CORP., 2011 S. 11th St., demolition.
* MONROE RETAIL CENTER, 2301 W. Monroe St., new construction.
* FRIENDLY CHEVROLET, 2600 Prairie Crossing Drive, car wash construction.
* GARRISON GROUP, 2930 Constitution Drive, Halloween City seasonal store.
* NORB ANDY'S TABARIN, 518 E. Capitol Ave., remodeling.
Ribbon-cuttings at The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce:
* BARD OPTICAL, 3055 Wabash Ave., held Friday.
* LAND OF LINCOLN CREDIT UNION, 300 South Grand Ave. W., Nov. 18.
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GORDMANS STORES INC. is 100 years old this year.
The company, which started with a single store in Omaha, Nebraska, now has more than 100 stores in 22 states. The Springfield store, 3231 S. Veterans Parkway, opened in 2002.
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It seems much of St. Louis will turn out for the Wednesday opening of an IKEA store in the midtown Cortex District. According to an event announcement, dignitaries in attendance will include a representative from the Swedish Embassy, Mayor Francis Slay, legislators and Ikea corporate executives.
The home furnishings chain is based in Sweden.
— Contact Tim Landis: tim.landis@sj-r.com, 788-1536, twitter.com/timlandisSJR. Listen to his WUIS/SJ-R business report Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning on WUIS 91.9 FM, 89.3 FM and wuis.org, or online at SJ-R.com