Volkswagen officials are bracing for several tens of thousands of applications as the company starts taking online inquiries Oct. 26 for production jobs at its Chattanooga plant.
About 1,200 body and paint shop, welding and assembly posts are up for grabs as the automaker opens applications for three weeks, Oct. 26 to Nov. 15.
"We want everyone to have a fair chance," said Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president for human resources for VW's local operation.
Plans are to hire the initial wave of production workers for the $1 billion plant in the first quarter of next year, he said.
Mr. Jagla said other workers will be brought in over the course of next year and in 2011, when production of a new midsize sedan is to begin.
Workers will start at $14.50 per hour, growing to $19.50 per hour over 36 months, officials said. Also, the company will offer a comprehensive benefits package, they said.
Mr. Jagla said first priority for hiring will be given to Chattanooga and Hamilton County residents.
Ryan Rose, the carmaker's general manager for human resources in the city, said all applications for production jobs will be taken online.
He said there's no advantage to people applying early in the three-week window. Mr. Rose said a kind of lottery process will be used to determine the application evaluation sequence.
"Everyone who applies and meets the minimum qualifications will be given an equal chance," Mr. Rose said.
People without computers can visit any Tennessee Career Center to apply. Also, application support will be available at Chattanooga State Community College campuses, Cleveland State Community College, the Tennessee Technology Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, officials said.
After the three-week period, applicants will be scheduled for an individual assessment. This includes computer and behavioral testing as well as production simulation at a location being prepared near the Enterprise South industrial park plant, according to VW.
Then, Mr. Jagla said, there will be an interview, medical tests and a job offer.
"We need to build a hiring pool," he said. "We're looking for capable, local people who can work together in a team environment to build cars safely and with the highest quality."
VW already has hired almost 220 people for salaried positions and also has taken applications for skilled maintenance slots. Mr. Rose said the automaker has received about 25,000 applications for those jobs so far.
He said the production worker pay scale was based on making the company competitive in the Chattanooga area.
While there are minimum qualifications, officials said more education and some experience likely would help in the assessment and interviews phases.
"Our first priority is (people) from Chattanooga and Hamilton County," Mr. Rose said.
TO APPLY
Starting Oct. 26 at 7:30 a.m., people interested in applying for VW production jobs can go to www.VWJobsChattanooga.com.
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