Work force attraction and retention have been priorities for BMW since the German luxury automaker planted roots in South Carolina three decades ago.
“Our goal is to offer more than a job, but rather a career with opportunities for growth,” BMW spokesman Phil Dilanni said.
BMW grooms part-time employees at its 6 million-square-foot assembly plant for full-time roles by offering them tuition assistance and hands-on training. Last year, the automaker opened a $20 million training facility to teach workers how to assemble electric drivetrains and high-voltage battery packs.
But work force development is a public-private partnership. South Carolina has mobilized its education infrastructure to meet the demand from a burgeoning auto industry.
“You can’t build a vehicle without a work force,” said Jack Ellenberg, associate vice president of corporate partnerships and strategic initiatives at Clemson University. “Having that access to the work force, [and] the institutions that shape that work force, is critical. Without it, you’re not going to get very far.”
To help Volkswagen staff its planned electric vehicle factory, South Carolina’s technical college system will build and operate an on-site training center. It’s a similar strategy used to help Volvo ramp up its Ridgeville, S.C., assembly plant a few years ago.
“For the larger employers that are looking for thousands of employees, the ability to have a dedicated training center is very important,” Lightsey said.
Meanwhile, South Carolina’s four-year universities are stepping up work force development as the auto industry pivots toward EVs. Clemson, for instance, collaborated with automakers and suppliers to help craft its automotive engineering undergraduate degree.
“It’s focused on mobility and what would be arguably the primary components of the next generation of vehicles,” such as semiconductors, autonomous sensors and batteries, Ellenberg said.
Clemson also taps the industry for help on advanced manufacturing development.
“How do we improve the manufacturing process and provide the skills necessary to manufacture the car of the future?” Ellenberg said. “We’re working closely with the automotive sector to ensure that our graduates receive a relevant skill set and hands-on experience.”
