Gadsden State’s FAME Program signs 39

Gadsden State’s FAME Program signs 39

 

GADSDEN, AL – The seventh cohort for Gadsden State Community College’s FAME Chapter signed with their respective companies during a signing ceremony May 1 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.

 

“The FAME program exemplifies what workforce development should look like – collaborative, hands-on and focused on long-term success,” said Andy Robertson, dean of Workforce Development. “By combining education with on-the-job training, these students are taking control of their futures and laying a foundation that will benefit their families and communities for generations.”

 

Two classes – known as FAME South and FAME North – were selected with the South students attending class on the Ayers Campus in Anniston and the North students going to Gadsden’s East Broad Campus in the Advanced Manufacturing Center. Gadsden State is the first college in the country to have two locations for the FAME program.

 

Robertson said 152 people applied for the new cohort of students with only 39 being selected for employment at one of 16 industry partners.

 

“Signing Day is more than a celebration,” Robertson said. “It’s the beginning of a transformational journey. These students are entering a program that blends classroom instruction with real-world experience, preparing them for high-wage, high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. It’s a commitment that will shape their futures and strengthen the economic future of our region.”

 

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.

 

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:

 

 

 

 

Automation Robotics Controls

Braxton Smith of Wellington

 

Bridgewater

Evan Mallett of Gadsden

 

Doncasters

Brennan Jarrell of Heflin

 

GH Metal Solutions

Jody Wilson of Boaz

 

Honda of Alabama

Joshua Clough of Lincoln

Dylan East of Gadsden

Israel Gaspar of Gadsden

Thomas Burgess of Oxford

 

Kobay South

Kaydence Bollinger of Anniston

Aubrey Farmer of Piedmont

Austin Keene of Gadsden

 

Koch Foods – Ashland Plant

Nicholas O’Connell of Lineville

Kamerion Wilson of Anniston

 

Koch Foods – Collinsville Plant

Jacob Moon of Gadsden

Elbin Mendoza-Lopez of Crossville

 

Koch Foods – Gadsden Plant

Cameron Boyle of Gadsden

Hunter Madden of Anniston

 

Kronospan

Brayden Bowers of Southside

Joseph Brown of Anniston

Gael Chino of Oxford

Mason Cofield of Jacksonville

Jared Harman of Heflin

Jacob Herring of Glencoe

Stephen Hodges of Gadsden

Brody Johnson of Wedowee

Lucas Smith of Oxford

Ja’Len Smith of Anniston

Alex Zavala of Ohatchee

 

Legacy Cabinets

Timothy Hanson of Heflin

 

M & H Valve

Khamron Mayberry of Oxford

Bryant McCarney of Oxford

Waylon Wagner of Ohatchee

 

New South Express

Hunter Mizell of Attalla

Kaleb Williams of Anniston

Kingston Peeler of Jacksonville

Desmond Efford of Anniston

 

Prince Metal

Carter Godfrey of Hokes Bluff

 

Tyler Union

Hayden Ford of Ohatchee

 

Unipres

Taylor Elrod of Gadsden

 

For more information about the FAME program, visit gadsdenstate.edu/FAME.