This is the second article in a five-week series. For the next four weeks, guest columnist Nicole Sherard-Freeman, Executive Director of Detroit at Work and Workforce Development for the City, will share the inside track on how to get ready and stay ready for jobs and careers in Detroit. This week, she shares a few suggestions about how to take advantage of the next Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) Detroit Priority Window.
It’s Not Too Late: 3 Steps to Take Advantage of the Detroit Priority Window for FCA Jobs
Last week, I shared background on the 5000 jobs FCA is bringing to the City of Detroit. This week, I’ll talk about how to be sure you’re taking full advantage of the priority opportunity all Detroiters—and only Detroiters—have.
The key advantage you have as a City of Detroit resident is priority access to the jobs FCA is bringing to the City. As I shared last week, Detroit is the only city in the nation to have negotiated with FCA so that Detroiters get to apply to FCA jobs first (after UAW priorities) for the life of the plant facility. That means that before FCA opens the job opportunities to any other city in Michigan—or anyone else in the general public, Detroiters get the first shot at the jobs (It’s also worth noting that FCA has never made this arrangement anywhere else in the history of the company.)
It’s great that Detroiters have priority, but that doesn’t mean much if you don’t know how to access the jobs. Here are 3 ways to be sure you, your family and friends don’t miss out.
- Learn about what it’s like to work at FCA. There are several ways you can learn more about FCA. First, think about your network of friends and family, and figure out whether anyone you know works there. Check your church or place of worship, beauty shop or barber shop, and parents at your children’s or grandchildren’s school. Your community network can be a great source of information. When you ask though, keep in mind that sometimes people can be more excited about sharing the negative stories than good news. Of course you want to know the real deal, but one way to ask the question could be, “Tell me 3 good things about working at FCA”, or “Tell me about your job.” Get a feel for what it’s like to work there every day.
- Sign up to attend a Detroit at Work FCA Job Readiness Event. If working at FCA might be a good fit, log on to Detroit at Work to read the requirements for skilled trades, production operator, and other professional jobs. If one of those jobs seems right for you and you meet the requirements, sign up to attend an FCA Job Readiness Event. You don’t need a laptop to register—you can sign up from your phone if you have access to the internet. If you don’t have internet access, no worries: just call 1-313-962-WORK, or go directly to your neighborhood Detroit at Work Career Center to find out more. (There are now 8 Detroit at Work Career Centers across the City—there’s one in every District. Click on the link above or call 1-313-962-WORK to find the center closest to you and get registered to attend.)
- Complete a Detroit at Work FCA Job Readiness Event. Only Detroiters can attend. Bring proof that you live in the City—photo id and a utility bill or other mail will do. Be sure you’re able to stay 1 ½ to 2 hours for the event. The event begins with orientation to what will happen during the event, and includes FCA application prep and a free math and mechanical reasoning assessment. The assessments you take at an event are a great way to prepare for the online assessment you’ll receive from FCA if you meet all the requirements. (Detroit at Work will also offer math and mechanical reasoning tutoring again in a few weeks. More about that in next week’s article). As importantly, the Detroit at Work team makes the assessment process easy (and fun). By learning where your skills are strong and where you might need to brush up, you’ll be better prepared to be successful during the second FCA Detroit Priority Window when it opens again in April 2020.
One of the most important things to know and share with your family and friends is that for anyone who missed the first window, or anyone who did not successfully complete the first FCA application, NOW IS YOUR SECOND CHANCE…and now is the time to get ready!
If you’re not sure whether you have already completed an FCA Readiness Event, or have already applied and want to know where you are in FCA’s process, call the Detroit at Work Career Center at 1-313-962-WORK. We can help you determine your status and next steps. Come back next week for the next installment in this Detroit at Work series: Ways to Get Ready for your FCA Interview.
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