NEW LAX FACILITY DESIGNED TO RECRUIT, TRAIN SCREENERS.

Byline: Daily News

WESTCHESTER -- A center to recruit and train more baggage screeners opened Wednesday near LAX as part of a program to speed passengers through the nation's fourth-busiest airport.

The two-story, 22,000-square-foot facility at 5520 Arbor Vitae Way is the first of its kind in the nation and was designed to meet the demand for more security screeners at Los Angeles International and other airports operated by the city.

``There are 100 jobs that become available every month among the more than 300 employers at LAX,'' Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at the opening of the center. ``I'm committed to ensuring that people who are looking for jobs learn about these opportunities.''

Lawrence Fetters, the federal security director at LAX, said more than 2,000 officers are assigned to LAX, but more are needed because of additional screening procedures implemented in the wake of the terror plot detected last week in Britain.

The Los Angeles Airport Police Department is consolidating its training center at the facility and will be using the site for advanced procedures.

Those interested in jobs can check the LAAP Web site at www.laxpd.com. For airport screener positions, applicants should check www.tsa.gov or call [phone].