Is Volkswagen hiring? (Chattanooga: employment, high school, wages)

[xzgvdp]

I hear Volkswagen Chattanooga is hiring. My husband is going for the assessment next week. Are they hiring or just building their contingent worker pool?

[Nonlocal]

Yes, they're hiring. I believe they just announced an addition of somewhere in the range of 600 jobs (may be off slightly, just going from memory). Some things to note, however, as I recently went through the entire VW hiring process two months ago and was offered a job, which I turned down:

• VW no longer hires production workers directly, but instead via a hiring agency called Aerotek.
• Aerotek employees earn less money than VW employees while performing the same job functions on the same shifts.
• Aerotek production workers start out at $12.50/hour with 60-70+ hour work weeks and shifts that rotate every two weeks (days and nights).
• These are the lowest production wages anywhere in the American automaker industry.
• I was told personally, by my interviewer at Aerotek (who was less than professional) that opportunities for advancement within (or out of) production is slim to none, with thousands of others nipping at the same promotions you are.
• When hired by Aerotek, you are contracted with them for at least (if I recall correctly) six months.

With all that said, the VW facility is quite impressive and I bet it's quite an experience to be a part of their operation. Even just the production simulation they run you through for pre-employment testing is rigorous but fun. And many people are happily employed with VW, from my understanding, and it's absolutely a source of stable employment for this area, so I don't mean to be too much of a downer at all. Just giving a few heads up on what some people don't know.

Good luck to you both.

[Nonlocal]

Originally Posted by xzgvdp

Are they hiring or just building their contingent worker pool?

Also, just to address this question more specifically: I can't verify this personally, but I have HEARD from a couple people that Aerotek puts significant delays on some of their hires. I was told a story of one person who went through the whole assessment and interview process, got the job offer, accepted the job offer, went through all the pre-employment drug screen/physicals, and still waited months before starting work. So it could be a sort of contingent worker pool if any of that's true, something perhaps to ask explicitly once a job offer is extended. Again, good luck.

[Wally1995]

do they check for high school diplomas?