GM Hiring 1,000 Workers at Kokomo Plant

GM Kokomo operations to build Ventec Life Systems ventilators (photo courtesy of General Motors Co.)

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) says it is hiring over 1,000 temporary workers at its Kokomo plant to make ventilators. Ivy Tech Community College in Kokomo is assisting the automaker to quickly fill the full-time and part-time jobs to help current employees produce 30,000 ventilators by the end of August.

GM’s Kokomo facility has been retrofitted to build ventilators for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the global relief efforts for coronavirus patients. GM says ventilator production, in partnership with Washington-based Ventec Life Systems, began April 6.

The automaker says the positions offer a starting wage of $16.67, and holiday pay and healthcare options are available after 90 days. A virtual job fair will be held at 11 a.m. on May 6.

“We are really pleased with the support we have received from the Kokomo community,” said Phil Kienle, GM vice president of North American manufacturing and labor relations. “The speed of this project from concept to production has been incredible and having a strong team at the plant is critical to maintain our momentum to help save lives.”

To manufacture the ventilators, the automaker says it sourced hundreds of parts and assemblies from suppliers, designed a new manufacturing process and implemented extensive health and safety protocols in the workplace.