Elected officials and community members recently gathered at Volkswagen Chattanooga to recognize eight new graduates who have completed the Volkswagen Academy apprenticeship program.
Each graduate received conditional job offers from Volkswagen Chattanooga, as well as a Volkswagen Academy diploma recognized worldwide by the Volkswagen Group.
“We’re proud of these apprentices and their determination to learn, develop and excel in their careers,” said Tom du Plessis, president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga. “This is a milestone in the lives of these talented team members as they take the next steps in their careers with Volkswagen.”
All graduating apprentices received the A.A.S degree from Chattanooga State Community College and passed the Volkswagen Academy final exam, which assesses both theoretical and practical skills in accordance with global Volkswagen standards.
The Volkswagen Academy diploma enables newly graduated apprentices the opportunity to work abroad at any of the company’s 121 manufacturing plants.
Volkswagen currently has 31 apprentices at the factory, with 16 new apprentices joining the company this month.
This year marked the eighth class to graduate from the Automation Mechatronics Program. The three-year program is based on a dual education system which combines vocational classroom education and paid on-the-job training.
AMP students receive hands-on training in mechanical systems, electricity, electronics and automated systems – among other disciplines. The AMP is certified by the German American Chamber of Commerce.
Last year, the company announced a comprehensive curriculum update to its apprenticeship program at the Volkswagen Academy. The update resulted in a shift from automation mechatronics to robotronics.
The Robotronics Dual Apprenticeship Program introduces the emerging technologies of intelligent production incorporated with cloud technology and big data to the apprenticeship curriculum.
Offered exclusively at the Volkswagen Academy, the Robotronics Dual Apprenticeship Program combines vocational classroom education and paid on-the-job training in one course. The program length is two years.
The Robotronics Program curriculum is based on Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing principles including robotic technologies, engineering design processes, manufacturing technologies, IT network programming, cyber physical systems, troubleshooting and maintenance.
The Volkswagen Academy has trained apprentices since 2011. More at www.chattanoogastate.edu/vw-academy.
Source: Volkswagen Chattanooga