Hiring the Educated

Hiring the Educated --- A New Approach to Staffing the Automobile Factory
Dawn Kennedy
January 25, 2012
Managing Human Resources
Dr. Pat Smallwood

Hiring the Educated --- A New Approach to Staffing the Automobile Factory

Overview: This case shows us how Ford and Chrysler’s workforce and staffing processes have changed over the years. We see how the industry has moved from being dominated by the less educated worker to the highly educated worker and why this phenomenon has taken place. We are also taken through how the new selection process that Ford uses to hire it’s employees, as well as the statistical information surrounding their hiring process.

Question 1: What do you think Ford’s overall strategic perspective is? How well does its new selection system support this strategy?
Ford’s overall strategic perspective is to hire the highly educated worker in an effort to lower training costs and to be able to succeed in the global market. According to the article, I would that Ford is right on target as far as cutting training costs. As far as succeeding in the global market, the article makes it clear that this remains to be seen, however, my personal opinion is that Ford is a very strong competitor and will continue to be for many years to come.

Question 2: What steps are included in Ford’s selection procedure? According to the chapter, what other techniques could it incorporate?
Ford’s selection process includes rigorous math and cognitive testing, as well as teamwork skills testing and finally drug testing, followed by a physical exam. Other techniques that could have been incorporated include trainability testing, personality testing, and honesty testing.

Question 3: Are there any other factors that are causing the auto companies to alter their selection procedures and look for more educated employees?
They are looking for ways to lower training costs and they also need more employees who can supervise themselves due to a lack of adequately trained supervisors.

Question 4: How do you think this scenario will play out? Will the educated workers leave? Will they stay?
I think the educated workers will stay because they are now the ones that are being sought after for their ability to multitask and be more fluid within the different departments.

Question 5: What type of work will the high school dropouts and immigrants who used to be selected to work in these car plants now be doing?
The high school dropouts and immigrants may be given an opportunity to prove themselves through the use of the rigorous testing Ford has implemented for their hiring processes, but chances are that these individuals will be demoted or let go for more menial labor positions.

Question 6: What benefits will Chrysler get from educating high school students?
The recruits will be highly educated in the areas in which Chrysler consider important and will be work-ready upon their graduation from high school. This means that the people that they are educating while still in school will be valuable assets to their company as soon as they graduate. Once they are available to the general workforce, there will be no delay in these individuals ability to begin being of service to Chrysler.

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