Ford fishes for recruitment companies to help dealers
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DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. dealers are turning to the automaker for help finding employees from outside the auto industry.
Ford will launch a pilot program April 1 to choose a recruiting firm and an employee assessment firm whose services eventually will be available to the automaker's dealer body, says Andrew Ashman, Ford's consumer experience manager.
The idea for the pilot program came late last year after many Ford dealers told Ashman they needed assistance bringing "good help into the business" for management, sales and service jobs, Ashman says.
One dealer, who will participate in the pilot program and who asked not to be named, says it's harder to find employees than in the past because most dealers' standards are higher.
"We're being much more diligent in looking to see not only does the person have the skills to do the job, but is that the kind of person you want to bring into the organization and who fits in the culture?" the dealer says.
Twenty-two dealers will participate in the pilot, which runs through June 30, Ashman says.
Ford is testing two recruiting firms and four assessment firms.
Recruiting firms help dealers find potential job candidates, Ashman says. Assessment firms use tests to determine potential employees' skills and match people to jobs. The assessment firms also may help dealers coach employees on ways to improve, Ashman says.
Based on the dealers' feedback, Ashman says, Ford will select one recruiting firm and one assessment firm, negotiate pricing based on volume and offer the firms' services to its dealer body by Sept. 1.
You can reach Jamie LaReau at jlareau@crain.com. -- Follow Jamie on 
