Volkswagen’s Chattanooga production plant is embarking on its biggest hiring surge since the factory opened more than a decade ago as it launches the assembly of its first electric vehicle in July.
The company is hiring about 1,000 more employees as the factory moves to adding a third shift and employing 4,500, said Burkhard Ulrich, the plant’s senior vice president of human resources.
“It’s a competitive market,” he said in an interview. “It’s a challenge. We’re up to the challenge.”
Ulrich said the starting rate is $19.50 per hour with two years of prior manufacturing or distribution experience or military service. People with three years can earn $20.50 per hour, he said.
VW also provides up to a 16% quarterly bonus, Ulrich said. In addition, there’s a $1.50 extra per hour for workers on second and third shifts, he said.