About the Skilled Trades

Application Requirements for Skilled Trades Employment

How to get a Big Three Skilled Trades Position

• A Skilled Trades Worker is someone who has completed an apprenticeship training program and received a journey person card.  Journey persons working in the auto industry use their specialized skills in machine maintenance and the tooling areas, and are represented by the UAW. Worker classifications in a typical plant.



• Each of the Big Three automakers offers a sligltly different list of skilled trades apprentice programs. UAW-DaimlerChrysler Apprentice Trades.



• The Web version of the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor provides in-depth descriptions of a number of the apprenticeable trades found in the auto industry, including Electrician, Machine Repairer, Automotive Mechanic, Gas and Electric Jitney Mechanic, Machinist, Millwright, Pipefitter-Plumber, Sheet Metal Worker, Welder, and Tool and Die Maker.



• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2004-05. EARNINGS in the Motor Vehicle and Equipment Manufacturing Industry.



• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2004-05. OUTLOOK for the Motor Vehicle and Equipment Manufacturing Industry.  Table

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• Candidates are asked to submit a resume and proof of journey person status.  Journey person proof is in the form of either a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the U.S. Department of Labor or letters from employers which verify eight (8) years or more of hands-on job experience.  Journey person letters must be on company letterhead, dated, signed by human resources and must reflect classification, dates served in the classification, and what candidate did in that capacity. -- DaimlerChrysler Skilled Trades Posting.

• Ford Motor Company:  Apply at individual plants.  See the White Pages for lists of plants.



• General Motors Corp.:  Apply at individual plants.  See the White Pages for lists of plants.  Additionally, GM accepts hard copy resumes at:  GM North America Staffing Center, P.O. Box 69, Nutting Lake MA 01865-0069.



• DaimlerChrysler A.G.:  Apply in person or send a resume and copies of credentials to DaimlerChrysler Human Resources Services Center, 3675 E. Outer Drive (at Mt. Elliott), Detroit, MI 48234. 313-369-7022.  Additionally, DaimlerChrysler accepts hard copy resumes at:  DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Skilled Trades-INT, CIMS 449-08-24, P. O. Box 420, Detroit, MI 48231-9927. 

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