Nicholas Vidrine was a mechanic at a brake shop in South Carolina three years ago and says he "wasn't going anywhere."
On Thursday, the 34-year-old transplant to Chattanooga was a valedictorian in a Volkswagen program that trains people to keep the mechanical and electronic systems at VW's plant up and running.
"It has been able to give me hope for the future,"he said.
Vidrine was one of 25 people who graduated from a pair of VW training initiatives that offer jobs with the automaker.
So far, 50 people have graduated from the innovative VW programs which provide on-the-job training.
In addition to automation mechatronics, which Vidrine studied, the plant also graduated its first class in the car mechatronics program. That's designed to produce car technicians trained to work on all aspects of the body, mechanical and electrical/electronic systems in VW vehicles.
Christian Koch, chief executive of VW's operations in Chattanooga, said he started his career with the German automaker in a similar apprenticeship program and it was a key stepping stone for him.
"You're entering the workforce at a crucial time in our history," he told the grads before about 100 people at a ceremony in the plant's conference center. Koch noted that the Chattanooga-made Passat is receiving a face lift this fall and assembly of a new SUV is to start in late 2016.
Sebastian Patta, the plant's executive vice president of human resources, said the three-year mechatronics programs offer both classroom and hands-on training.
He said the graduates are "not afraid to have taken the road less traveled" in terms of entering educational programs after high school.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., said he's passionate about workforce development and he hears about the need for skilled employees as he travels the congressional district.
"The model you all have is exemplary," he said.
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said he wants to see Scenic City residents get more jobs.
"Why import talent when you can grow it here," the mayor said.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said that at VW, "they not only train you, they job place you."
Vidrine said his brother, who also works at VW, told him about the mechatronics program and he moved from South Carolina to Chattanooga to enroll. He said he was able to receive grant money to help pay for the program's costs.
Vidrine said he's looking forward to furthering his education, transferring to UTC and gaining a bachelor's degree.
"It wouldn't have been possible without first going into this program," he said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.