REC Silicon hopes to draw new workers

Expanding company reaches out into Basin community

MOSES LAKE — Later this week, an expanding Moses Lake company reaches into its surrounding community in effort to draw new employees.

REC Silicon is holding a job fair Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Best Western Lake Inn, located at 3000 Marina Drive in Moses Lake.

"The purpose of this event is to showcase REC Silicon, to give individuals in the community as well as the outlying areas the opportunity to get a better understanding of REC Silicon as a company," REC Silicon Director of Administration Dean Martinez said.

The event allows individuals an opportunity to learn more about the organization and apply for various positions available.

Martinez said the company has openings from entry-level technicians to engineers and operators, including the newly created fluid-bed reactor operator position.

REC Silicon essentially requires employees to have a high school diploma or a general education degree. The company recently put together a training program which takes an individual through various courses to prepare them for operator positions, he noted.

Martinez noted the company continues having difficulty in finding experienced operator candidates.

As a result, REC Silicon is reaching out into areas of the United States where unemployment is higher and manufacturing facilities have people available. Many candidates come from Michigan, where three facilities shut down. REC Silicon is screening applicants, and officials will travel to interview candidates, Martinez said.

Martinez said the company recruited a number of people from outside the Moses Lake area to positions including operators, mechanical, electrical and engineers.

But REC's recruiting difficulties are no different than any other employer in Grant County, Martinez said, with many people already employed and the area seeing a lack of skilled labor.

"There are some very, very good people in the area," Martinez said. "However, there's not enough of them, which is why we're recruiting all over the area."

The company presently employs about 265 people, up from 170 more than a year ago. Martinez expects to fill about 40 more positions in the immediate future, and envisions reaching about 350 workers total within the next two years.

"We are recruiting so fast, so rapidly now, we have new people start almost every week," he said.

Everyone is welcome to show up at the job fair and either bring a resume or fill out a job application, Martinez said.

"As a result of this job fair, we will proceed to screen candidates and conduct interviews," he said. "More than likely, the following week."

Martinez would be pleased if 10 to 20 people could be hired out of the job fair.

"If we got 30, I'd be very happy," he said with a laugh.