TO APPLY
› In-person at the Volkswagen Conference Center today from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.› Online at VWJobsChattanooga.com or AerotekTN.com
Volkswagen aims to attract up to 2,000 job seekers to fill new posts opening at its Chattanooga factory after a heavy turnout of prospects Friday at its first career fair.
Some 200 people showed up in the first half hour or so at the factory, where the German automaker is trying to fill 1,100 new jobs by mid-April.
"So far it's nice," said Mario Duarte, the plant's senior manager of organizational development and human resources, about the interest by job hopefuls as hiring cranks up ahead of production of a new sport utility vehicle late this year.
VW staffing contractor Aerotek is making a major push to bring on the new production employees at the career fair, which will continue today at the plant. New production workers initially become Aerotek employees and will earn an average of $13.50 per hour. When later hired by VW, they'll earn $15.50 per hour, according to the automaker.
VW expects to have about 3,400 people working in Chattanooga by next spring - a new record.
Mason Payne, 22, of Fort Oglethorpe, said he's seeking an assembly job at the plant where his father worked as a welder during its construction.
Payne said he has done production work in the past and repaired cars for a living. He said he isn't worried about the diesel emission scandal that has gripped the automaker.
"Everyone makes mistakes," Payne said.
Eric Gellerman, 46, of Hixson, said the open VW production posts seem like an opportunity to land a stable job.
"I'm here to see what they had to offer," he said.
Jerre Dill, of Chattanooga, turned out because he's seeking "a career job" with hopes of landing a management position with VW.
"I've got skills," he said, adding he has managed at local restaurants and has a degree in business management.
Dill said the number of new jobs opening up at the plant shows that VW is committed to Chattanooga despite the diesel issue.
David Von, of Chattanooga, said he also is interested in a management slot, having worked at golf courses.
"There's definitely interest," the 40-year-old man said.
Duarte said that while hopefuls can apply online, he likes to answer questions which job seekers ask and see them understand what it's like to fill a post at the factory. He said computers are at the site which people can use to access the jobs portal.
Hiring is more challenging today with low unemployment than it was when about 85,000 people applied for the first 2,000 jobs created at the plant late last decade, officials said.
Automotive suppliers to VW, such as Gestamp and Chattanooga Seating, also are staffing up.
"It's more competitive out there," Duarte said. "That's good for the community."
Duarte said the company would like to hire workers from Hamilton County, as the automaker wants to bring on qualified employees who live closest to the plant.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group reported Friday that it delivered 759,400 vehicles in August, up 6.3 percent from a year ago, despite a drop in sales in North America. The group delivered 84,400 vehicles, down 1.1 percent, in North America in August.
Still, about 6.66 million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide from January to August, up 1.8 percent compared with the previous year as the company tries to become the world's top automaker by sales for the year.
"All group brands turned in a solid delivery performance in August and for the first eight months. Our models performed particularly well in Asia-Pacific and Europe," said Fred Kappler, head of group sales. "Nevertheless, our task now is to strengthen and expand this trust, particularly in the North America region."
Contact staff wire Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.