How Atlanta helps Porsche train the next generation of its mechanics
There are not many places where American gear heads get to go under the hood of cutting-edge European sports cars to learn what makes them tick.
Atlanta is one of the rare exceptions.
The North American division of Porsche on Thursday celebrated the graduation of its 100th technology apprenticeship class, including students in Atlanta. The German luxury automaker’s North American headquarters is in Atlanta, which is also home to one of its apprenticeship training centers.
Porsche has funded the Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program in collaboration with University Technical Institute since 1999. Its students, who undergo a 23-week course in Georgia, California or Pennsylvania, are placed upon graduation at Porsche Centers across the country.
“Consistently investing in education and technical expertise for employees across America is vital,” Timo Resch, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, said in a news release.
The program has graduated more than 1,000 technicians, including Vince Stephens. He said he grew up working on cars with his father, but that hobby evolved into a career by working through Porsche’s training pipeline. He was a member of the first apprenticeship class and is now service manager at Porsche Naples in Florida.
“I’m incredibly proud to have been there at the beginning, and even more proud that I now get to hire graduates from the program as it reaches its 100th class,” he said in the release.
Porsche last year celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Atlanta experience center near Hapeville and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The campus, built on the site of a former Ford Motor Co. plant, includes its North American headquarters, two test tracks, a fine dining restaurant, a restoration facility and a gallery with classic Porsche cars.
Employing nearly 800 workers and hosting more than 540,000 visitors and test track participants, the center serves as one of the Southside’s largest employment centers and tourist attractions.
About the Author
Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.
