Amazon managers provided Florida Governor Rick Scott with a rare look behind the scenes of the Lakeland Fulfillment Center Wednesday.
Since the facility opened last year, their workforce has grown from 500 to 800 employees.
Workers said they're excited for the opportunity.
"I love it," said Amazon trainer Diane Ortiz. "I got to say, it's completely different. It's not your typical warehouse."
Equipped with robots, the Lakeland facility is one of the most advanced Amazon warehouses in the country.
"The robotics field actually knows and understands when stuff is due out and they will bring the priority units to the picker to pick those units and ship out within minutes," said General Manager Chris Monnot.
But robots are not doing the job alone.
Managers said they are in the process of hiring thousands of additional workers over the holidays to help at all their facilities.
For many of those jobs, all that is needed is a high school degree.
Amazon provides the training.
For more information, go to http://www.amazonfulfillmentcareers.com/opportunities
The Lakeland Amazon fulfillment center checks in at about 1 million square feet and handles larger merchandise. A center in Ruskin handles smaller packages. (Photo: Dalia Dangerfield, staff)