Graduates of VW programs are entering workforce at 'challenging' time

Graduate Nickolas Bodenhamer speaks about her group's project after a graduation ceremony Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Volkswagen.
Graduate Nickolas Bodenhamer speaks about her group's project after a graduation ceremony Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Volkswagen.
photo Graduate Erin Watson speaks about her group's project after a graduation ceremony Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Volkswagen.
photo Graduates study their diplomas during a graduation ceremony Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Volkswagen.
photo Graduate Aaron Dotson speaks about his group's project after a graduation ceremony Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Volkswagen.

As Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant faces possibly its most challenging time ever, 14 students graduated Thursday from a pair of apprenticeship programs that officials say help bridge the skills gap.

Graduation from one of the three-year programs, in which participants study either automation or car mechatronics, led to job offers to all students, said Sebastian Patta, executive vice president of human resources for the plant.

"Why import talent when you can create your own?," Patta asked graduates and families during an hour-long ceremony at the plant where workers are gearing up to produce a new American-made sport utility vehicle later this year.

The seven-seat vehicle is seen as key to a revival in VW's U.S. sales, which have flagged since the emissions scandal and the shift by buyers to SUVs and trucks.

Patta said the plant is experiencing its most challenging time in its history as it readies the SUV and continues to make the Passat sedan. He said SUV production is on schedule for late this year at the plant, which is undergoing a $900 million expansion and is ramping up hiring.

The apprenticeship programs are based on a dual education system that combines vocational classroom education with paid, on-the-job training.

Graduates in the automation mechatronics program are trained to maintain the electrical, informational and mechanical systems in the factory.

Car mechatronics program grads learn to work with the electrical, informational and mechanical systems to help support and maintain vehicle development.

Brian Beck, valedictorian in car mechatronics, said he learned about the program while at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity," he said, citing the classroom and real-work experience.

Aaron Dotson, the automation mechatronics valedictorian, said he has had the chance to learn about machinery and electricity.

"I got to go to Germany for a week," he said. "Just to be around this group of individuals has been amazing to me."

Carsten Heimlich, the plant's vice president of manufacturing, said the students will enter the workforce as highly skilled employees at an exciting time.

He said the plant is building test vehicles of the SUV, which will play "a crucial role" for VW in America.

"No doubt the work you're doing is vital to our success," Heimlich said. "This is not just a job, it's a career. You're stepping through one of life's important doorways."

Dr. Flora Tydings, president of Chattanooga State Community College, said the grads earned "a world-class degree," though it wasn't achieved without a lot of work.

She said the students passed requirements not just of Chattanooga State's instructors at the Volkswagen Academy but of the German automaker.

Patta said the students represent the fifth graduation class of automation mechatronics and the second for car mechatronics.

He said the students "are not afraid of taking the road less traveled. It's not the normal path after high school. But after three years, they're ahead of their peers."

Also, the company marked the first graduate of its Engineering Specialist Training Program, Larry Mendizabal. That 18-month initiative highlights hands-on experience of mechatronics training coupled with three months at Volkswagen's world headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

Upcoming Events