For months, questions have lingered regarding how Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America will build its workforce for some 8,000 workers expected to operate the EV and battery plant in Bryan County.

On Wednesday, Hyundai and Savannah Technical College gave answers.

The South Korean automaker and the Savannah trade school signed a memorandum of understanding for an Electric Vehicle Professional certificate program.

“We have been extremely grateful for the generosity from everyone in the region,” said Oscar Kwon, CEO of the Hyundai Metaplant, which is under construction in Bryan County. “The MOU ensures the commitment to our employees who understand the nature of EVs. This gives the community a clear pathway to employment at (the facility). Let’s not forget a job (with Hyundai) is not like any other job. We are building a state-of-the-art plant. This is about creating a sustainable future and workforce.”

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Hyundai and Savannah Tech officials were on hand to dive into the specifics of the program, including starting pay and when the program will start.

Here is what you need to know.

How it all began

Officials have been working behind the scenes for months to develop the certificate course and its curriculum.

“From the very beginning, we knew that working with the Technical College System and Savannah Tech College was essential to our success,” said Brent Stubbs, senior manager for learning and development at the Hyundai Metaplant.

Tal Loos, vice president of economic development for Savannah Tech, said having an auto manufacturer like Hyundai is a gamechanger for the college.

“For Hyundai to come in and show that they had the faith in a Technical College System of Georgia and especially Savannah Tech is a huge motivator for us,” said Loos.

What will the program entail?

Students will complete a 7-week course covering general production of EVs. Students will become familiar with automotive terminology, tools and learn about safety protocols for working in EV buildings. Upon completion, graduates will have preferred employment. Starting pay will be $23.20 with benefits.

“It's really a preferred pathway to a great job,” said Stubbs. “Imagine you're fresh out of high school, you do this program and you go to work building world-class cars. Sounds like it's going to be a great opportunity.”

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The new program is part of the pre-employment process. Once students achieve their certificate, they will go through the Georgia Quick Start program in Pooler to receive additional training.

“Think of the program as a way to really become that electric vehicle professional,” said Stubbs. “As an employee, we will train you at Quick Start, where they will learn core and job specific skills.”

When will hiring begin?

The Hyundai Metaplant is expected to hire 200 people in January and that number will grow throughout 2024. The course will be offered at multiple Savannah Tech locations, including their campus in Liberty County.

“We hope to hire many of those individuals from this program,” said Stubbs.

With around 20 students per course, the program could see anywhere between 60 to 100 graduates per term. Just like progress of the plant, Savannah Tech is working on a rigorous timeline to get students in and out of the program. The college's president, Kathy Love, hopes to roll out the program this summer.

“It feels like we accomplished something great with our new best friends,” said Love. “In recent years, we’ve seen the growing need for skilled workers for these industries. In order to stay competitive, manufactures need skilled laborers and we are prepared to meet that demand. (Hyundai) and Savannah Tech have a lot to gain by working together.”

How much will it cost?

The program will run students $100 per credit hour and some may qualify for the HOPE grant.

“We are very reasonable,” said Loos. “If you did have to pay out of pocket, you're looking at $800 plus fees.”

'Long-term partnership'

Hyundai intends to take the EV certificate program to other technical schools around Southeast Georgia.

Stubbs said Hyundai will meet with Coastal Pines College next week in hopes of introducing the program there. The automaker has already met with Ogeechee Technical College and Southeastern Technical College.

“We think this program could potentially be offered at any of the technical colleges because we think someone may wake up in Georgia and say, 'I want to work at that EV plant,'” said Stubbs. “We are excited to work with the entire technical college system but especially those four core technical colleges in the community.”

Hyundai is not stopping there. The automaker will lean-in on four year universities like Georgia Southern University and Georgia Tech to fill engineering roles, such as the process engineering associate.

“Those relationships are already being built and we are already hiring graduates from those universities as we speak,” said Stubbs.

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Stubbs went on to say he believes the agreement with Savannah Tech will be a longstanding commitment.

“I think that we are going to continue to grow,” said Stubbs. “We will have needs and I think it is an exciting opportunity to build a long-term partnership.”

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hyundai, Savannah Tech tackling workforce development for EV factory