Ford Hiring White-Collar Workers; Reports Strong Earnings
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KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — New hiring plans by Ford are a sign of the times for American manufacturing, and they highlight who’s really in demand for new jobs.
The American automaker is going on a hiring spree, looking for hundreds of engineers and information technology workers as it boosts white-collar employment. The new jobs are part of Ford’s turnaround as the company responds to rising sales.
Ford and other U.S. automakers shed thousands of jobs when fortunes slipped before and during the recession.
The company announced Wednesday morning that it made $1.2 billion in the second quarter mostly from North American — not foreign — sales. The average price per vehicle is also up.
“The greatest need is for workers with electronics skills and digital skills,” reports USA Today, “reflecting how change in the auto industry is being driven by high-tech developments in infotainment systems, electronic controls and safety systems.”
Ford is facing competition from other employers for these skilled workers. With so many electronics in vehicles today, the skill set required for engineers is changing.
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