HELLA Good Program

Last night, I attended my daughter Samantha's Honors Convocation at the Plymouth Canton Educational Park here in Michigan. It was a chance to see Sam recognized for the work she's put in, and, like millions of other parents across the country, I'm very proud of my graduate.

There were a number of scholarships presented, but one in particular stood out to me.

HELLA, a German industrial company founded in 1899, has its U.S. headquarters in Plymouth, MI. HELLA is a Top 40 global automotive supplier, manufacturing electronics, lighting, and sensors for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Like everyone in the automotive sector, the fight for top talent is real. In an industry that DEMANDS innovation, top-tier talent is a competitive advantage.

Competition is particular tough when seeking STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) candidates.

HELLA has created an innovative program to tilt the scales in their favor, when seeking candidates with STEM qualifications.

Last night, Margi Fox, the Vice President of Human Resources for HELLA, presented a Canton High School student with his position in the HELLA Scholars Program. This program includes a $10,000 scholarship, renewable for 4 years, for $40,000 total. Additionally, the student, who will be graduating high school next week, will begin working at HELLA in June. HELLA provides him a full-time job during the summer, and part-time employment during the college school year.

Perhaps most importantly, upon graduation, he is guaranteed a job at HELLA, in his discipline.

How great is that? The student gets 40 grand for school, half or better of his tuition at most universities, a relevant summer job, part-time gainful employment during the school year, and a guaranteed job upon graduation, with a company he's been working with for four years.

I was so impressed with this creative solution that I contacted Ms. Fox today, asking to learn more.

Ms. Fox had explained HELLA had noted the difficulty in recruiting qualified candidates in certain areas. They created this program to help mitigate any gap, by getting high-potential candidates engaged with HELLA prior to graduation from high school.

Students are evaluated based on their academics and GPA, as well as the fit of their career aspirations to the program. They have to attend an accredited university, one within reasonable commuting distance to HELLA, so they can easily get to their year-round job.

HELLA conducts a job shadowing event, and from that event, selects candidates for on-site interviews. After the interviews, offers are prepared for the selected candidates.

HELLA started the program with eight graduates last year, and added another seven this year.

In four years or so, HELLA will have fifteen high-potential associates, with four years' experience in their company, for an investment of $600k or so (I realize that's just the scholarship money, not the job pay, but I assume they are getting fair value for the wages, which nets out that cost. Students receive between $12 and $17 per hour.).

I'm guessing that's less than it would cost to use outside recruiters to fill those fifteen positions, and that they have a higher confidence level in these candidates, having worked with them for four years.

Talk about a win/win!

What do you think? Is this a cost-effective way to address the talent gap? Should more companies consider programs of this type? Please leave a comment, and let us know what you think.