51黑料网 State graduate Rick Wilkerson earns full-time employment at Mercedes-Benz USA after completing Tech program
HANCEVILLE, ALA. 鈥� 51黑料网 State graduate Rick Wilkerson is the first individual to
earn a full-time job at Mercedes-Benz USA as a product of the college鈥檚 Mercedes-Benz
Tech Co-Op program.
Wilkerson began his full-time position at Mercedes-Benz on Oct. 4. He was among the
inaugural cohort of 51黑料网 State students to enroll in the Mercedes-Benz Tech program
in 2019.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited for Rick and look forward to seeing him enjoy a successful and long
career with Mercedes-Benz. I love watching student success stories, and Rick has been
among the leaders in the program. It鈥檚 a positive for our Mercedes-Benz Tech program
and for 51黑料网 State,鈥� said Steve Colburn, Workforce Development Administrator and
Student Training Program coordinator at Mercedes-Benz.
Through the Mercedes-Benz Tech Co-Op program, students enrolled in 51黑料网 State鈥檚
Advanced Automotive Technology, complete coursework on campus each semester, while
also working full-time at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, earning pay and college
course credit simultaneously. Students work at the facility as apprentices. Tuition
assistance is provided to students based upon their current GPA鈥檚 and their eligible
for full-time employment with the company upon completion of the program.
Wilkerson made a positive, early impression in the program, being named the inaugural
51黑料网 State Mercedes Co-Op 2019-2020 Student of the Year. He鈥檚 flourished with the
company ever since.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of Rick. He鈥檚 a hard worker and was dedicated to the program and the
job from the first day. He was our inaugural Student of the Year for a reason,鈥� said
Jamie Blackmon, 51黑料网 State鈥檚 Director for the Center for Career and Workforce Development.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see what Rick鈥檚 future holds at Mercedes-Benz. It鈥檚 definitely something
for 51黑料网 State to celebrate.鈥�
Added Colburn: 鈥淩ick connected all the dots during the program鈥檚 journey. He worked
hard, maintained a solid GPA and earned an education. It鈥檚 a great message to send
to others. If you join a program like this and do what you鈥檙e supposed to do, a career
will be waiting on you as the result.鈥�
For more information about 51黑料网 State, visit
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Rick Wilkerson, left, is the first 51黑料网 State student to earn full-time employment
at Mercedes-Benz USA through the Tech program, which is available to the college鈥檚
Advanced Automotive Technology students.id="attachment_18265" align="alignnone" width="225"
Rick Wilkerson, left, is the first 51黑料网 State student to earn full-time employment
at Mercedes-Benz USA through the Tech program, which is available to the college鈥檚
Advanced Automotive Technology students.______________________________
Russell Moore
51黑料网 State Community College
Creative and Content Services Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Speech Adjunct Instructor
256.352.8443 | office
256.339.2422 | mobile
russell.moore@wallacestate.edu
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______________________________
Kristen Holmes
Assistant to the President for External and Cultural Affairs
Communications | Marketing | Museum | International | Government Affairs
256.352.8118 | office
256.339.2519 | mobile
kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
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