Volkswagen Expo Draws Thousands of Job Seekers and Suppliers

Volkswagen's Job Expo draws thousands to Chattanooga's Convention Center.

The company is looking for people to fill a number of professional positions, as well as businesses interested in being suppliers for the plant.

And it shouldn't have trouble finding both.

Deborah Maddox, Jobseeker, "This is overwhelming. I've heard that they started coming in at about 2 o clock. Lines are all the way around the corner. "

As she signs the commemorative Volkswagen Beetle, Deborah Maddox hopes she'll soon be signing on with the company that carries its name.

She's one of thousands who waited in long lines at the Chattanooga convention center Thursday to drop off a resume or learn more about becoming a Volkswagen supplier.

Shital Rali, Arch Plastics Packaging, "Any automobile industry is one of our potential customers. Volkswagen cars will have a lot of plastic components in it and we look forward to do the business for them."

Even with the economic downturn the response startled company representatives.

Frank Fischer, CEO Chattanooga VW Plant, "I'm really glad that so much attention for our company and also so many people interested to work for us. I hope that we really assemble a really good team a very engaged team a very ambitious team because we really want to make the project a true success."

The professional jobs these seekers want range in salary from 40 to 75 thousand dollars and should be filled in three to six months.

Dale Wyatt, Job Seeker, "I would love to get into a training be able to train and develop people I'd love to do that."Wyatt, "I'll have to be optimistic. I think my chances are very good."

So does Deborah Maddox.

Maddox, "I am really excited. I'm one that I love new ventures and I'm ready to jump into whatever the next field or opportunity for my life, move forward."

CEO Frank Fischer couldn't say how many professional jobs are up for grabs now.

The plant will have 2 thousand plant positions in all.

Manufacturing jobs won't be filled for at least another six months to a year.