VW will set Chattanooga plant record with new hires

People seeking employment wait in line at Volkswagen's career fair at its area manufacturing plant Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The factory plans to hire 1,100 more workers.

By Mike Pare September 17, 2016 4 min read

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VW looks to attract 2,000 job seekers

People gather to apply for jobs at Volkswagen's career fair at its area manufacturing plant Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The factory plans to hire 1,100 more workers.

Lamar Bristol, right, and Tanique Harden, holding Ty'Laniq Bristol, talk to workers about applying for jobs at Volkswagen's career fair held at its area manufacturing plant Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The factory plans to hire 1,100 more workers.

People are seen through frosted glass as they wait in line at Volkswagen's career fair at its area manufacturing plant Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The factory plans to hire 1,100 more workers.

Kathy Vincent, left, and Ben Mitchell, center, apply for jobs on laptops at Volkswagen's career fair at its area manufacturing plant Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The factory plans to hire 1,100 more workers.

Lamar Bristol holds Ty'Laniq Bristol as he picks up a cookie from a booth at Volkswagen's career fair held at its area manufacturing plant Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The factory plans to hire 1,100 more workers.

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.