CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 8, 2010) — Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations is celebrating surpassing the 100th production worker hired and gathered the group for a photo to commemorate the occasion (see attached photo). Joining the group are Volkswagen executives, Don Jackson (left front), President of Manufacturing and Hans-Herbert Jagla (right front), Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Hiring of the production workers, 100% of whom are Hamilton County residents, began in February and has continued throughout March and April. Each worker goes through an intensive orientation and training process, which is summarized below. The workers are a part of the Quality Assurance program (11 workers), Assembly Shop team (60 members), Body Shop team (23 members) and the Paint Shop team (27 members). Volkswagen in Chattanooga currently employs over 600 people. The plant will eventually employ more than 2,000 workers and is expected to result in as many as 9,500 indirect employees over time.
A quick overview of the Volkswagen Training Center:
Common Core
• Each employee gets introduced to Volkswagen’s products, history, strategy, products and philosophy
• 5 days in Training Academy including a Volkswagen driving experience
Production system
• Each employee learns about efficient production and processes based on the Volkswagen production system
• 5 days in Training Academy/Lean Center
Fundamental Skills
• Each Production employee learns about the processes relevant to the work in the shop
• 5 days in Training Academy/Lean Center
On-the-job Training
• Each Production employee perfects quality and speed of process at the workplace.
• Number of days is dependent on job and shop.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations LLC
Volkswagen Group of America Inc. will invest $1 billion in the local economy for the Chattanooga plant and create more than 2,000 direct jobs in the region. According to independent studies, the new Volkswagen plant is expected to generate $12 billion in income growth and an additional 9,500 jobs related to the project. The Chattanooga plant will build a new midsize sedan specially designed for the North American market.
