Workforce Development Technical Scholar Program

Aiken PSR Plant Overview

August, 1998 First Tire produced
September, 2011 Plant Expansion announced (50% capacity)

2.74 million square feet under roof

37,750 tires per day (passenger/light truck) 60/40 split OE/Trade 1,220 Team Members (109 Multi-skilled Maintenance)

Service Technicians
Multi-skilled Maintenance positions (Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical)
Recruitment was nationwide including programs such the Navy Nuclear Program Recognition that we needed to help develop skills/interest in skilled maintenance technicians in our local area Partnered with Aiken Technical College to develop a program to deliver an employable person with the requisite skills and knowledge to perform maintenance in an industrial environment.

Maintenance Department
In 1997, initial maintenance department was 65 Service Technicians Current headcount is 109 We have an additional 120 permanent maintenance contractors Machine shop Mobile Equipment Fabrication shop Preventative maintenance support

Service Technician Profile

Multi-skilled troubleshooters Electrical Electronic Mechanical 2 year technical degree with some work experience Technical certificate with work experience Military training in necessary field with work experience Stable work history Reliable (work independently or in small teams)

Service Technician Profile

Knowledge needed: Number system conversions PLCs (Programmable Logic Control) Ohms law Joules law Power conversions Electric motors Servo motion control Mechanical theory Hydraulics Pneumatics

Service Technician Profile

24 hour / 7 day operation Shift work and day shift requirements Continued training during work hours Continuing education benefits Excellent heath, vacation, holiday benefits Starting rate ~$23.00 hr. Top at ~$30.00 hr.

Technical Scholar Program

Partner with local Technical College, in our case mostly with Aiken Tech. Students attend college and work in our plant ~ 20 to 30 hours per week. Flexible with their work hours. Bridgestone assigns a mentor to assist as needed, usually their crew leader (supervisor). Cost for tuition and books is Bridgestones responsibility. Our company and the students get a chance to evaluate each other. After graduation, there is not an obligation to the company to hire nor is their one on the student to accept a position.

Technical Scholar Program

To date: 33 have started the program 23 have completed the program 14 were hired as Service Technicians 3 were hired as Machine Technicians (production operators) 3 have been hired by our maintenance contractor. 2 are currently in the program