05/08/24
Gadsden State’s FAME Program signs 38
Oxford, Ala. – The sixth cohort for Gadsden State Community College’s FAME Chapter signed with their respective companies during a signing ceremony May 6 at the Oxford Civic Center
FAME, or the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education, is an apprenticeship-style program that allows students to attend class two days a week and work three days a week in a local advanced manufacturing facility.
“FAME students have the unique opportunity to work and get experience while receiving instruction,” said Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development at Gadsden State. “Today, you are signing your golden ticket. If you do everything asked of you by the College and by your employer, you will graduate and immediately start a career making a lot of money.”
This year, two classes – known as FAME South and FAME North – were selected. The South students will attend class on the Ayers Campus while the North students be at the East Broad Campus in the Advanced Manufacturing Center, which is slated to open with a ribbon cutting on June 12.
“We are making history today,” Smith said. “We are one of the only colleges in the U.S. to have two locations for the FAME program. When we asked if we could do this, FAME leadership didn’t hesitate because they recognize our history of success at Gadsden State.”
Smith said 166 people applied for the new cohort of students with only 34 being selected for employment at one of 12 industry partners. Four students were selected as alternates with anticipation that a job will become available.
“This is one of the biggest nights at Gadsden State,” he said to an audience of students and their supporters. “It’s time for you all to celebrate. We have many opportunities for these students. I appreciate the commitment you have shown to get your student here today.”
Smith said the Gadsden State FAME Chapter is considered one of the best in the state in large part due to the partnership with East AlabamaWorks, an organization that provides solutions for closing the skills gaps and maximizing workforce efforts to ensure alignment of resources. The partnership was formed from the beginning of the program in 2018.
“I remember when we first started with just 13 students and a handful of people attending signing day,” said Lisa Morales, director of East AlabamaWorks. “Now, we are outgrowing the Oxford Civic Center. I’m so glad to see everyone here. Our industry partners stretch across East Alabama, from Fort Payne to Ashland to everywhere in between.”
After five semesters of classroom education and on-the-job training, graduates of the FAME program will receive an Associate in Applied Science in Industrial Automation, a FAME advanced manufacturing technician credential and five Lean Manufacturing credentials.
“When you finish this program, you will not just have a job,” said Andy Robertson, workforce development coordinator. “You’re going to have a career.”
To be considered for the FAME program, students must apply and be accepted to Gadsden State, complete a FAME application and write an essay. Qualified applicants then go through an interview process with a panel comprised of 12-15 industry partners. Program participants are then selected by the industry partners in a draft-style process.
The following students have been selected to participate in the FAME program and work for one of 12 world-class industry partners:
Doncasters
Aiden Stewart of Ashland
Eastman Chemical
Will Johnson of Fruithurst
General Dynamics OTS
Blaze Armstrong of Gadsden
GH Metal Solutions
Aaron Wright of Valley Head
Honda of Alabama
Bryce Anderson of Southside
Michael Anderson of Attalla
William Anderson of Attalla
Braxton Bussie of Talladega
Cayson Hardy of Glencoe
Amari Johnson of Anniston
Koch Foods – Ashland Plant
Wilfido Mejia-Gonzalez of Delta
Tyler Wardlaw of Ranburne
Koch Foods – Collinsville Plant
Andres Garcia of Fort Payne
Trenton Gilley of Boaz
Jose Ponce of Boaz
Brandon Simonetti of Boaz
Koch Foods – Gadsden Plant
Alex Bamaca of Gadsden
Brandon Bamaca of Gadsden
Landon Robinson of Altoona
Kronospan
Zachary Blohm of Oxford
Nickalous Bryant of Sylacauga
Brody Burnett of Southside
Landon Davenport of Gadsden
Louis Holbrook of Heflin
Tony Landers of Sylacauga
Will Skinner of Ranburne
Landon Waller of Lincoln
Legacy Cabinets
Zachary Andrews of Jacksonville
Keegan Huff of Jacksonville
M & H Valve
Christopher Alvarez of Oxford
Jackson Long of Gadsden
Jordan Veal of Gadsden
Tyler Union
Douglas Baker of Anniston
Julius Scott of Goodwater
Alternates
Kenneth Price Jr. of Anniston
Curtis Smith of Cedar Bluff
Mckenzie Tovar of Talladega
Ayden Richards of Fruithurst
For more information about the FAME program, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/FAME.
See an album of photos from the event:
