Transitioning From Internship to Permanent Position at International Motors Corporation
The International Motors San Antonio Manufacturing Plant has launched a summer internship program aimed at high school students, providing a unique opportunity for young individuals to gain hands-on experience in the manufacturing industry. The plant, established in 2022, partnered with SA WORX to integrate workforce development initiatives.
The program is designed to build a talent pipeline by giving students direct experience in manufacturing diesel and electric vehicles. In 2024, International Motors specifically recruited about 30 seniors from Southside High School, a predominantly economically disadvantaged school, to participate in the program.
Anthony Degollado, a 2024 Southside High School graduate, was one of the participants. He described the program as a unique opportunity, noting that it was likely the first time his school had such direct, hands-on work experience available for its students. Anthony now works at International Motors as a forklift operator on the receiving dock.
Another participant, Ariella Cantu, supports material flow in truck production at the plant. However, specific details about her personal experience were not provided in the search results.
The internships began right after high school graduation, and seven of the original 30 International interns now have full-time roles at the company, due to their alignment with the company's core values. The internships offer practical skills and exposure to the manufacturing environment, which Degollado valued as a meaningful career pathway.
Interns at International Motors work in either supply chain/logistics or general assembly. In supply chain/logistics, interns assist in kitting, inventory quality checks, shipping and receiving material, and operate equipment like pickers, tuggers, and forklifts. In general assembly, interns use hand and torque tools on a production assembly line to build Class 6, 7, and 8 commercial trucks.
International Motors will pay $19 per hour for their upcoming round of summer interns. The plant also hosts about 200 high school interns over the course of a summer.
The summer internship program's other manufacturing employer partners include Avanzar Interior Technologies, Toyotetsu Texas, and Southwest Research Institute. Degollado and Cantu now help and participate as employees during job shadow days, sharing their experiences with the internship program and the company.
This effort forms part of a broader collaboration through SA WORX to nurture future manufacturing talent in San Antonio. International Motors is preparing for another round of summer interns, continuing its commitment to developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals.
- The summer internship program at International Motors San Antonio Manufacturing Plant partners with SA WORX to develop future talent in the manufacturing industry.
- The program offers high school students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the manufacturing of diesel and electric vehicles, potentially leading to careers in the industry.
- The internships provide practical skills and exposure to the manufacturing environment, with interns working in either supply chain/logistics or general assembly, and getting paid $19 per hour.
- International Motors collaborates with other manufacturing employers like Avanzar Interior Technologies, Toyotetsu Texas, and Southwest Research Institute, to nurture future manufacturing talent in San Antonio.