GM Delta plant welcomes LCC students

By Mallory Stiles
Editor in Chief

National Skilled Trades Day falls on the first Wednesday of every May and, although it is not a widely-celebrated holiday, GM’s Lansing Delta Assembly plant reached out to LCC to reiterate its importance.

Senior Plant Communications Manager Fred Woodhams, who handles internal communications and public relations, said there are a lot of opportunities for any LCC students interested in learning a trade. 

“There are currently more jobs than there are people to take them and that’s a national issue,” Woodhams said. “A lot of the people who go through the apprenticeship program for a trade go through Lansing Community College, then they work here for four years or so and they get their journeypersons card to show they are certified in that trade.”

Fred Woodhams is senior plant communications manager at GM Delta plant. Photo by Mallory Stiles

He said after getting the specific certification required for a given field, the possibilities are endless because there will always be a need for plumbers, electricians or carpenters. 

“They will have portable skills, so if they decide to leave GM, they will still be licensed elsewhere,” Woodhams said.

Benefits offered to GM skilled trades workers include, but are not limited to, competitive salaries, high-job demand, job security, lower educational cost, minimal debt and schedule flexibility.

The health insurance is also something to write home about and, uniquely, it is not taken out of the employees’ pay.

“Some would say the best in class,” Woodhams said, “especially for the UAW members, and that is on TOP of normal pay.

“It’s just a good career to be in, it pays well, and these are very in-demand positions. Especially with a lot of baby boomers retiring, there are a lot of vacancies. Whether it’s here at GM or elsewhere, there is just a shortage.”

The entire plant is full of machinery, and the importance of each piece cannot be understated. Cars start as a frame but are driven out of the building. This plant specifically produces approximately one car every minute.

“It can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing,” Woodhams said with a chuckle.

It is skilled trades workers who are in the highest demand at the moment, but Woodhams did suggest that anyone who is interested in any position at GM should keep an eye on the GM careers page linked here.

These careers aren’t necessarily glamourous but they have a lot to offer.

“It can support someone for a lifetime,” Woodhams said.