New jobs are on the horizon for electric vehicle assembly at the General Motors Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas.
Four job categories, all related to electrical wiring skills, are part of the company’s plans to globally market 30 new all-electric vehicles by 2025. Specific job information is available on the company’s careers site: GM Careers.
Successful applicants will enter GM’s Automotive Manufacturing Electrical College (AMEC) which trains future employees to work on electrical systems in new GM vehicles. Participants are paid a full salary and benefits during the training period which can last from 6 to 12 months. The AMEC program includes classroom education and hands-on training at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Experience in a manufacturing environment is a plus, but no prior electrical experience is necessary.
The Fairfax facility currently employs over 2,100 members of UAW Local 31 to build the Chevrolet Malibu and the Cadillac XT4.
UAW National President Rory Gamble recently urged “everyone to take a little step back” saying the union plans to “take a more cautious approach.” He said the union is evaluating whether there will be enough charging infrastructure and other federal policies to prompt widespread consumer adoption of electric vehicles. “We know this technology is coming, we know we have to embrace it and make the best of it.” The union’s policy position on electric vehicles is available at this link: 2021-UAW-EV-Update.
According to USAFacts.org, just over 1.4 million plug-in electric cars have sold in the United States as of 2019 — with about 60% of those sales in all-electric cars and 40% in plug-in hybrids. Plug-in electric cars accounted for just under 1% of all 146 million new light-duty vehicle sales between 2011 and 2019.
I am convoluted at this news. As a 92 year old and former GM employee at the BOP plant; 1948-1966, I am at the cross roads. Technology increases by leaps and bounds. However I agree with the Union President. Let’s take our foot off the pedal just a little bit. I am aware that the change to electric will likely occur but the present economy may also demand a resurgence of gas and oil.
Keeping the foot off the pedal enables some with electric cars to achieve 60 mpg hwy, if used wisely. GM must be able to keep up with Toyota and Ford, imo.
Another bad decision by management that the blue collar workers will have to pay for. After this mistake I hope they fire Mary Barra and anyone who thought this was a good choice.