PR2013 Jan 30

Press Information

Date:

January 30, 2013

Contact: Telephone:

Felyicia Jerald +1 205 507 3507

State of Alabama & Mercedes-Benz Tap Shelton

State Community College to Support Technical

Programs

• Collaboration with Shelton valued at $1.6 million

• More than 80 students now enrolled in MBUSI technical programs

• Recruitment underway for next round of students

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA – The State of Alabama and the

Mercedes-Benz plant today signed an agreement that recognizes

Shelton State Community College as one of the best in its field in

preparing individuals for careers in manufacturing.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) and the State of

Alabama (through AIDT, Alabama’s workforce training agency)

formalized a contract valued at $1.6 million for Shelton to support

MBUSI’s technical programs. The funds will come through AIDT’s

Workforce Development funds set up by the State to support MBUSI’s

training needs.

Shelton will use the largest portion of the funds ($1.2 million) to buy

equipment that will be housed on campus to train students in robotics,

electrical and other high-tech skills required in manufacturing. The

remainder of the funds will be used to support students with tuition and

fees other program expenses.

“We’ve had resounding success with our Automotive Technician and

Mechatronics programs over the past year,” said Markus Schaefer,

President and CEO of MBUSI. “Today, more than 100 candidates have

enrolled in the program, which has been recognized in the State of

Alabama, nationally and globally as a model in the arena of workforce

development. Shelton State and AIDT have been critical in the

success of these efforts.”

“AIDT is pleased to be working with MBUSI and Shelton State in this

extremely dynamic program” said Ed Castile, Executive Director for

AIDT. “We have a long-standing relationship with MBUSI and we’re

looking forward to expanding our partnership with the plant and Shelton

State. The leadership of both organizations should be commended for

this effort.”

The application process for both the Automotive Technician and the

Mechatronics programs are now open and students must start the

process by enrolling at Shelton State Community College. Students

can get full details on the MBUSI website –

www.mbusi.com/employment. Varying levels of tuition and fee assistance

is available for students, based on their GPA as they progress through the

programs.

About The Mercedes-Benz Automotive Technician Program

The Mercedes-Benz Automotive Technician Program includes three terms of

instruction at Shelton State Community College. Students will attend

classes during the day on Monday and Wednesday, and receive training at

MBUSI on Thursday and Friday. During training at MBUSI, students will

spend time in the classroom and on the shop floor. Of the students who

successfully complete the program at Shelton State, the top 75% will advance

to MBUSI and earn a full-time job in Production.

About The Mercedes-Benz Mechatronics Program

The Mercedes-Benz Mechatronics program involves seven terms of

instruction at Shelton State and an additional 18 months of training at

MBUSI. Students will attend classes at Shelton Monday through

Thursday, and experience operational insights and daily procedures at

the plant on Fridays.

Upon satisfactory complete of coursework at Shelton, students will earn

an Associate’s of Applied Science Degree in Industrial Electronics and

a Short Certificate in Industrial Maintenance. Upon successful

completion at Shelton State, at least the top 75 % of students in the

program will advance to MBUSI and earn a full time job in production.

A percentage of these top students who advance to MBUSI will be

selected for an 18 months of additional training, which may qualify them

for maintenance positions with the plant.

About MBUSI

The Tuscaloosa plant was founded in 1995 and started production in

1997. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was the first product and has been

built ever since the start of production in 1997, later joined by the SUVs

of the GL- and R-Class. In 2011, the plant produced more than 148,000

vehicles and the plant exceeded this figure in 2012. (Official 2012

production numbers will be announced during the Daimler AG Annual

Press Conference on Feb. 7, 2013). As of 2014, the Tuscaloosa plant

will be one of the four global production locations of the successor

generation of the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and will build these

vehicles for the North American market. The plant also will begin

building a fifth model in 2015. MBUSI currently employs roughly 3,000

Team Members

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available at: