 |
|
Chrysler Group and Kettering University have
celebrated the establishment of the first
class of student co-ops that will work at
the carmaker with a full day of on-campus
events designed to rekindle the longstanding
relationship between the two parties. |
|
|
|
Chrysler Group and
Kettering University have celebrated the establishment
of the first class of student co-ops that will work at
the carmaker with a full day of on-campus events
designed to rekindle the longstanding relationship
between the two parties.
“Chrysler Day” at Kettering University featured
informational and recruiting booths staffed by Chrysler
representatives, product displays showcasing many of the
Chrysler Group’s 16 new or
refreshed vehicles and a presentation to students by
Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. Many
current Chrysler Group employees who are alumni of the
University were also in attendance.
“Kettering University has been a good source of
technical talent in the U.S. and at our company for many
years,” said Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President of
Human Resources, Chrysler Group. “We are excited and
proud to continue our relationship with the University
and its students.”
The Kettering University co-op program is a five-year
program in which students alternate work and school
terms every three months. Students work for the co-op
sponsor – in this case the Chrysler Group -- from
freshman year until graduation and begin work on a
thesis project in their senior year.
“Kettering University is very grateful to
Chrysler Group for hosting a Corporate Day on campus and
for providing an outstanding opportunity for our
faculty, staff and students to see their beautiful new
products and world-class technologies,” said Kettering
University President Robert McMahan. “Chrysler Group is
a top-tier employer of both our co-op students and our
alumni, and Kettering University is very pleased
with our partnership with the company.”
“Chrysler Day” and the new co-op program were
the result of the efforts of the its University
Relations Program, which is part of the its overall
talent acquisition organisation. As part of these
initiatives, University Relations has organised and
supports employee volunteer teams, comprised of
employees who are alumni of the assigned school and
other interested employee volunteers. These teams,
assigned to one of 30 major colleges and universities in
the U.S., work to build relationships with university
leaders and create opportunities for the Chrysler to
identify and recruit talented interns and employees. The
University Relations team assigned to Kettering
University developed plans for the new co-op program and
worked closely with Kettering University officials
planning the “Chrysler Day” event.
The company’s relationship with Kettering University and
the teachings of its founder, Charles F. Kettering,
connect back to Company's own founder, Walter P.
Chrysler, who in 1916, as Chairman of the Industrial
Committee of the YMCA, was very impressed by Kettering’s
teachings on the value of “practical education.”
Inspired by Kettering, Chrysler and members of the
committee adopted the policy that workers should receive
instruction that is adaptive to their work in the
factory. Since June 2009, the Chrysler Group has hired
about 6,000 employees and continues to seek talented
people to support its future growth.
|
|
|
