Volvo Car Charleston Launches Factory Fridays to Inspire Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent

This October, Volvo Cars will welcome graduating high school seniors from across the Charleston area to its first-ever Factory Fridays, giving students the opportunity to experience advanced manufacturing firsthand.

Hosted by Volvo Cars’ U.S. manufacturing operations in Ridgeville, South Carolina, local students are invited to tour the plant, test their technical skills, and meet with members of Volvo’s Ridgeville operations team who help assemble the Volvo cars of today – and tomorrow.

The initiative is being held in recognition of October as National Manufacturing Month and aims to introduce high school students to career opportunities in automotive manufacturing over the course of four Fridays beginning October 9. With a presence in the United States for more than 70 years, Volvo Cars is committed to investing in the people and communities that are shaping its future.

“As South Carolina’s manufacturing industry continues to grow, so does the need for a skilled workforce,” said Benjamin Van Landuyt, Interim Plant Manager at Volvo Car U.S. Operations. “Through Factory Fridays, we want students to see firsthand what it takes to assemble the cars of the future and the many different career paths available in advanced manufacturing. We hope they leave with a better understanding of the opportunities that are right here in their own community.”

To further support future manufacturing talent, Volvo Car U.S. Operations is also accepting applicants for the Volvo Accelerator Program, a separate workforce readiness initiative for graduating high school seniors interested in automotive manufacturing. Held over four Saturdays and a final assessment in the spring semester, the program gives participants the opportunity to meet with industry professionals, build technical skills, learn about standardized work and manufacturing processes, and explore career paths and growth opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Interested students can learn more here.

Volvo Cars has been part of the South Carolina community for more than 10 years, since breaking ground on its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Berkeley County in 2015. Since then, Volvo Cars has invested over $1.3 billion USD in its South Carolina operations to make it ready for the future. With a production capacity of up to 150,000 cars annually, the plant plays an important role in Volvo Cars’ long-term growth strategy in the United States.

Next year, Volvo Cars will officially introduce its best-selling XC60 mid-size SUV to the South Carolina production line alongside the fully electric EX90 SUV, followed by a new, next-generation hybrid model before 2030. This new model will be designed to meet the specific demands of the US market, in line with Volvo Cars’ increased focus to build where we sell and ensuring its products meet the evolving needs of customers.