Summer Camp at the Volkswagen Academy

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – One of Chattanooga’s largest employers is giving local kids a chance to learn their trade.

Kaylee Nix tells us what they are learning and how it may help their future careers.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive a really fast car?

To build a car from the bottom to the top?

To control a robot that can help build that car?

Well Volkswagen of Chattanooga is giving high school kids from the area the chance to do all that and more at their summer camp workshop.

Ilker Subasi from Volkswagen says “We have a diverse group of kids and they’re really interested in new technology, new manufacturing techniques and technology and its really interesting to watch the kids, how they grow in one week.”

The camp lets kids explore the world of auto manufacturing while teaching them technical skills like computer programming, and life skills like working in teams under pressure.

ALENA STEPHENSON — “Sometimes you actually have to hand something off to someone else to let them do it better.”

And while they work hard to nail down new technicall skills like welding and circuts, they also have fun driving, playing games, and even making art.

SHILOH LOHER — “My favorite part, i think is driving the simulator, and also building the car, getting to know what parts go into it.”

subasi says he loves this program becasue it reminds him of how he got his start in the company.

Subasi adds “Twenty years ago I started my own career at VW in a summer camp in Germany, I was fifteen and I started as a camper in a summer camp and I decided to go the route with VW. and now I can see the same motivation in the kids that are here this week .”

LOHER — “I definitely would encourage other kids to come, I mean I’ve never had any experience with anything and I don’t really know that much but its okay because I’m here and I’m learning and I’m enjoying it .”

in chattanooga, kaylee nix, news 12 now