Posted: July 16, 2008 09:21 PM
Updated: July 17, 2008 09:11 PM
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - Before any cars are manufactured Enterprise South, the plant must first be built. That is going to require skilled workers, because the plant is expected to be state of the art and cutting edge. Local labor unions are preparing for jobs they believe may be coming their way. The local chapter of the IBEW, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, has about 3,000 members who are certified to perform the smallest tasks to installing plc's, electrical programming boards that will be throughout the V-W plant.
Kenny Smith, training director of the IBEW NECA Apprenticeship School, says "this is what we do, what we have been waiting on. This is cutting edge, high-end technology, but we are ready. NECA and the IBEW have been training contractors for over 100 years."
Roger Tuder, the President and CEO of the Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee, says," We are general contractors, we hope to see some activity there. In fact, we are grading right now. We would like to come in and lay the foundation, erect the walls, do the electrical work and the interior finishes." Tuder says his phone lines were ringing off the hook on Wednesday. "Many people are ready to work, I have had people call me today wanting to know if the plans are in, the answer is no they are not."
Local colleges and high schools offer programs that prepare students to work in these jobs, such as Chattanooga State, the IBEW NECA Apprenticeship School and the East Ridge Construction Academy.
No comments:
Post a Comment