FAIRMONT, W.Va., Sept. 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will further demonstrate its commitment to West Virginia today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new National Work Force Center located at the Alan B. Mollohan Innovation Center, I-79 Technology Park, 1000 Technology Drive, in Fairmont.
The Fairmont National Work Force Center is part of a new initiative by Northrop Grumman to provide high-quality, cost-effective technology centers within the United States as an alternative to off-shoring. As an American company performing national security work, Northrop Grumman has made it a priority to develop an alternative to off-shoring jobs to other countries. The company believes that high technology jobs need to stay in the U.S. This unique solution -- National Work Force Centers -- is the first of its kind in the industry.
"Northrop Grumman's Fairmont National Work Force Center demonstrates the company's commitment to developing high-technology careers here," said James R. O'Neill, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Information Technology sector. "We plan to hire approximately 50 to 60 new full-time employees in Fairmont, with potential for growth in future years."
The company will be hiring for information technology jobs initially, with expansion into other functional areas and disciplines in the future. Northrop Grumman has a website specifically focused on the National Work Force Center initiative. Individuals interested in applying for open positions can log on to http://www.northropgrumman.com/nwfc/index.html
"Northrop Grumman is to be commended not only for its commitment to West Virginia, but also for its determination to help reverse the trend of exporting jobs on a national level," said Congressman Alan B. Mollohan. "It is time for the era of sending jobs abroad to end. Northrop Grumman is setting an example that we all hope will be followed by others in corporate America. I welcome the company to Fairmont and its new partnership with the community."
"I commend Northrop Grumman for its strong commitment to West Virginia and our workforce," said Senator Jay Rockefeller. "These are high-quality, high-tech jobs -- and they're just the type of jobs that we were hoping to attract during the recent Homeland Security Investment Mission. I look forward to the opening of this new Work Force Center in Fairmont, and to working with the company to explore more career opportunities for West Virginians."
"Northrop Grumman's decision to locate their National Work Force Center in Marion County is another sign that West Virginia is successfully competing on the global level," said Senator Robert C. Byrd. "By wisely choosing to tap into the local resources of our area colleges and businesses, we are building a partnership that will translate into good jobs for West Virginians and profits for Northrop Grumman's stockholders for many years to come."
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.