The inaugural class of 14 BMW Scholars graduated and was hired as full-time BMW Manufacturing Co. of Greer production and equipment service associates. BMW partnered Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College and Tri-County Technical College.
“Future development of the manufacturing workforce in the Upstate is part of our long-term sustainability strategy and commitment to education. As today’s event signifies, the BMW Scholars Program has proven itself to be a successful recruitment tool,” said BMW President Josef Kerscher.
The BMW Scholars program was launched in August 2011 and has recruited over 30 Scholars, with another 35 planned for this fall. The program offers technical college students enrolled in various career paths related to manufacturing technology, the workplace benefits of a traditional apprentice program found in Germany with the additional advantage of tuition and book assistance.
“This is a great example of how collaboration between the educational and manufacturing sector leads to far better outcomes for our next generation.”
BMW is accepting applications for fall enrollment. Students in the first and have a GPA of 2.8 or above can contact:
• Spartanburg Community College, Kathy McKinzie, 864-592-4808.
• Greenville Technical College, Sandra Hartsell, 864-250-8049 or Susan Gasque 864-250-8105.
• Tri-County Technical College, Glenn Hellenga 864-646-1585.
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Spartanburg-based BMW Manufacturing Co. announced Monday it hired 14 members of its previously announced scholars program as full-time production and equipment service associates.
The plant unveiled its BMW Scholars program in August in conjunction with its announcement for a $5 million Associate Family Health Center. Both announcements were aimed at securing the future health and development of its workforce.
Its partners in the program include Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College and Tri-County Technical College.
BMW said it has recruited more than 30 students for the program and has another 35 enrolled for the fall semester.
Rooted in apprenticeships programs employed at the automaker’s facilities in Germany, the program offers students pursuing various career paths the opportunity to train with the company while receiving financial assistance for tuition and books.
“Future development of the manufacturing workforce in the Upstate is part of our long-term sustainability strategy and commitment to education,” said Josef Kerscher, president of BMW Manufacturing Co., in a statement. “BMW Scholars Program has proven itself to be a successful recruitment tool. … This is a great example of how collaboration between the educational and manufacturing sector leads to far better outcomes for our next generation.”
BMW is accepting applications for the fall through its three participating colleges. Students must be at least beginning their first semester and have a GPA of 2.8 or above.
For enrollment information, contact Kathy McKinzie at Spartanburg Community College at 592-4808; Sandra Hartsell at Greenville Technical College at 864-250-8049; or Susan Gasque at 864-250-8105 and Glenn Hellenga at Tri-County Technical College at 864-646-1585.
For more information, visit www.bmwusfactory.com
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Photo on GreerToday.com webiste courtesy BMW Manufacturing Co. Greer. Ccaption: BMW Manufacturing of Greer graduated its inaugural class of 14 BMW Scholars and hired them as full-time production and equipment service associates. Left to right back row: Joy Tirado (BMW), Chad Looper (Tri-County Tech, TCTC), Thomas “Cole” Johnson (TCTC), Adam Grantz (TCTC), Kenneth Denmon (TCTC), Ryan Childers (BMW), Heinz Brunner (BMW), Josef Kerscher (BMW), Annmarie Higgins (BMW), Duke Moses (BMW), Michael Bonham (TCTC), Michael Bellamy (TCTC), Charlton Balcombe (TCTC) and Rochelle Williams (BMW).
Front row: Vladimir Kazadaev (Spartanburg Community College, SCC), Matthew Aste (SCC), Taylor Davis (TCTC), Philip Soden (Greenville Tech, GTC), Daniel Sarvghad (GTC), Andrey Karaganov (GTC), Kevin Hurd (GTC).