Chattanooga, Tennessee: Volkswagen Academy

Years ago I worked in the Regional Office of Dunkin' Donuts. In order for the support staff to get a better handle on what franchise owners go through, the company allowed Regional Managers' secretaries to attend a 'simulated' two-day 'Dunkin' Donuts University' course. DDU allowed us to make the donuts from start to finish. We enjoyed it, but were happy to go back to our real jobs!

What brought this to my mind was reading about a local education facility or 'academy'. This academy cost $40 million to build. It is in Chattanooga, Tennessee - VW Academy - which opened its doors for visitors on Friday, June 4, 2010.

The "Academy" is one of the first finished buildings on VW's sprawling Enterprise South facility in Chattanooga, TN. About 1,000 people were at Volkswagen Academy Conference Center which is only a small part of the 163,000 square foot educational section. State and local officials and Volkswagen officials were on hand for the opening.

The Academy will be put to good use. It is where 2,000 workers will learn to manufacture the new mid-size sedan. The actual one billion dollar plant is still under construction and on schedule. The assembly line is expected to be up and running in early 2011.

VW has already hired 750 plant workers and another 1300 or so will be hired and ready to work by the end of the year. Hamilton County Mayor, Claude Ramsey, told the new employees that the much of the future of Chattanooga rests in their hands. He told them they need to build the best cars that they can.

Those who were lucky enough to tour the facility were impressed with what is being called a first-class facility. There really is a lot riding on this plant. It already has brought many constructions jobs to the area, which were filled by local companies and local workers. There is still much more to be done at the VW facility. There are more buildings to be built and more jobs to be filled and it doesn't stop with VW. Secondary businesses that support the manufacturer will play a key role in the growth and employment figures for this area.

More people working means that more people will be able to pay their bills, buy food for their families and look forward to a better future.

Source:

Timesfreepress.com