Chrysler Corporation Sponsors Education Summit
8 May 1998
Chrysler Corporation Sponsors Education SummitAUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 8 -- The path to career success no longer requires a four-year degree. By the year 2000, the demand for workers with technical training (electrician, plumber, automotive technician) will increase and Chrysler Corporation wants to do its part to prepare a workforce of qualified candidates with technical or trade school backgrounds. Chrysler will address the need for future technical workers by hosting an Education Summit on Friday, May 8, 1998, at Chrysler's World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., with Kathy Oswald, Vice President-Human Resources, as the keynote speaker. Through the summit, Chrysler hopes to encourage the 110 Southeastern Michigan high school counselors in attendance to consider steering more students toward skilled-trade careers rather than suggesting just the traditional path to a four-year degree. According to national statistics, 75 percent of people who start college don't finish. "We want to encourage counselors to ask students, 'Have you even considered a skilled trades career?'" said Oswald. "We are conditioned as a society to push a four-year college program, but that's not a guaranteed route to career success for everyone. With a skilled-trades background, students can look forward to many of the same things as a student with a four-year degree: stability, competitive salaries, benefits and growth." During the summit, guidance counselors will attend workshops run by representatives from the Michigan Occupational Information System, Michigan Jobs Commission and Chrysler Human Resources. Valerie Becker, Chrysler National Education Programs Administrator, said the Education Summit will be the first step toward strengthening the link between academic achievement and work-force success by offering workplace examples of the application of both basic academic knowledge and technical skills. "Chrysler needs technical workers as much as we need those with backgrounds in human resources, finance and engineering. It's important that students know you can have a successful career in the automotive industry without attending a four-year college," said Oswald. SOURCE Chrysler Corporation