Dive Brief:
- Tesla is offering high school students training, college credit, transportation and housing through an initiative called the Tesla Manufacturing Development Program, Nevada Appeal reports.
- Company representatives recently spoke to Nevada high school students and their parents, discussing the Tesla Gigafactory 1 in the state. The as-yet incomplete factory boasts 2 million square feet and is designed to produce lithium-ion batteries with zero net energy. When complete, the facility will grow to 15 million square feet and is expected to employ 6,500 workers, the majority of which are expected to be state residents.
- Those who participate in the development program will have the opportunity to earn up to 15 credits through a partnership with local colleges.
Dive Insight:
The trend toward recruiting at the high school level is spreading across the country. In Oregon, for example, schools have partnered with a local industry group to prepare students to meet employers' future tech needs. Offers of college credit or degrees are also on the rise as well, with employers hoping to create a reliable (and potentially brand-loyal) talent pipeline for the future.
And the broader trend of employers and schools forming partnerships to address the skills gap seems to be gaining popularity. Many trade schools are working with business and community groups to boost enrollment and better prepare grads for tomorrow’s openings. In some areas, like construction, schools are fast-tracking coursework to meet demand. That's good news for employers, as hiring outlooks for 2018 appear strong.
