Oshkosh Corp. job fair draws hundreds

OSHKOSH - Hundreds of hopefuls swarmed the Oshkosh Convention Center Sunday, looking for work with one of the area's largest employers. Oshkosh Corporation recently secured a $1 billion military contract. Now, the company needs more workers to fulfill it.

With jobs at stake they came in sandals, heels and work boots, but in Sunday's lengthy line perhaps walking shoes were the better choice.

"I think it's horrible, we almost turned around," Genaro Sanchez of Green Bay said, pointing towards the row of waiting applicants.

From 10 am until 4 pm, around 250 people stood ready to vie for jobs with Oshkosh Corp. The wait often topped two hours, but Josh Ole of Oshkosh said it was time well spent.

"Oh yeah, I got three family members in Oshkosh Corp. right now and if you get in you're set for life," he said.

Oshkosh Corp. says the excitement and opportunity is because of an all-terrain vehicle, known as the M-ATV. Oshkosh's defense division has secured a contract to produce at least 2,200 of them, possibly more. The work is valued upwards of $1 billion.

The company says at a minimum, it will be hiring several hundred workers to meet the contract's rapid deadline. The local union is estimating 500.

Marge Schiessl of Oshkosh hopes to be one of them. She says her printing job was cut in January. Since then, she's been working a few part time jobs, but wants something steady.

"Oshkosh Truck as I knew it, has been a big company in Oshkosh for a long time and I'm very impressed with the military contracts that they get," Schiessl said.

The company is looking for skilled assembly and entry level production workers. Selections will be made on qualifications, not a first come, first serve basis. Good news for the hundreds who inched forward, a step at a time.

"I don't think people realize how many people are hurting for jobs, I just see it more and more and this proves it," Schiessl said.

"It's nice to know that somebody is going to be hiring and giving people chances," Ole said.

But, one look at the line, brings a dose of reality. There's a lot of competition and this was only day one.

The job fair will continue Monday from 9 to 5.