GTCC and Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education sign inaugural class of 20 students
Published on: June 15, 2023
JAMESTOWN, N.C. (June 15, 2023) – Guilford Technical Community College and the North Carolina Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NC FAME) The First in Flight Chapter, signed the inaugural class of 20 student recruits.
Five of the seven NC FAME companies signed students for the class of 2025. Those companies include Jowat Corporation, MasterBrand Cabinets, Proctor & Gamble, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, and WestRock.
The FAME program is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in STEM-related fields in manufacturing and provides a two-year, debt-free associate degree with the goal of equipping students with the skills required for a rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape. NC FAME, The First in Flight Chapter, will work with GTCC to educate students in a college setting, while also providing on-the-job-training with one of the NC FAME sponsor companies.
"We commend the great progress that this employer collaborative has made in a short time," said Tony Davis, FAME national director for the Manufacturing Institute. "Their progress illustrates the power of partnerships and collectively, they have identified some strong talent for the program's first cohort. Also, these students should be proud of themselves for selecting a program that will provide them with a jump-start on a rewarding career pathway in the manufacturing industry right here near their home."
FAME was created by Toyota and moved to the Manufacturing Institute for national scaling in 2019. Today, the Manufacturing Institute, as the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, supports FAME USA which has grown to include 37 chapters supported by more than 400 company partners across 14 states.
"We're excited to kick-off the inaugural class NC FAME - The First in Flight Chapter today," said Anthony Clarke, Ph.D., president of GTCC. "We know the value of this program to not only the local companies participating but most importantly to our students. We all look forward to seeing the chapter grow and students move on to high paying jobs right here in the Triad."
Students selected for the program will have a paid position three days a week with a sponsor employer and attend classes at GTCC the other two days. After receiving 1,800 hours of on-the-ground experience, 85% of graduates proceed to direct employment with a sponsoring company and earn wages that are, on average, 25% more than non-FAME graduates. FAME graduates are also able to transfer their credits to a four-year university to pursue a variety of STEM programs.
"Much like the past innovative minds from our proud state, NC FAME's inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) class will deliver transformative educational experiences to students and set them on a career path to a better life," said Hillary Walser, president of NC FAME, First in Flight Chapter. "The NC FAME, First in Flight chapter is committed to the mission of ensuring students can fulfill their personal and professional dreams in a rapidly changing manufacturing environment. The FAME program has shown historic strength in empowering its students to make a difference by investing in a global best education and work-based learning program."
The First in Flight Chapter includes seven employers: Jowat Corporation in Archdale; MasterBrand Cabinets in Lexington; Proctor & Gamble in Greensboro; Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, in Liberty; ZIEHL-ABEGG in Greensboro; ABCO Automation in Browns Summit, and WestRock in Winston Salem.
The students in the NC FAME program at GTCC are:
- Abbey Hayes, Eastern Guilford High School, Jowat
- Darius Headen, Asheboro High School, Jowat
- Isaac Alvarado, Southeast Guilford High School, Masterbrand
- Jacob Dills, East Davidson High School, Masterbrand
- Josue Escalante, Asheboro High School, Proctor/Gamble
- Muhammad Abu Khass, Ragsdale High School, Toyota
- Owen Brown, Asheboro High School, Toyota
- (Harmony) Noel Carmac, Asheboro High School, Toyota
- Jahmeer Cobb, Ragsdale High School, Toyota
- Devante Cuthbertson, Walter Hines Page High School, Toyota
- Elisabeth Hornfeck, Grimsley High School, Toyota
- Saul Jaimes, Southwest Guilford High School, Toyota
- Cory Martin, Southeast Guilford High School, Toyota
- Shackti Martinez, Southern Guilford High School, Toyota
- Braylee Matthews, Eastern Guilford High School, Toyota
- Jacob Parks, East Wake High School, Toyota
- David Sanders, Uwharrie Charter Academy High, Toyota
- Alice Schultz, Asheboro High School, Toyota
- Kenneth Hunter, James B Dudley Senior High School, Westrock
Visit the NC FAME, The First in Flight Chapter at GTCC for more information.
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) network is comprised of employer-led chapters sponsoring students through a work/learn model over five semesters in conjunction with a college partner. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program, a FAME co-op, produces global-best, entry-level multiskilled maintenance technicians to excel in today's advanced manufacturing environments. The FAME USA network is managed and supported by The Manufacturing Institute; learn more at FAME-USA.com.
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