Gadsden– On April 28, Gadsden State Community College hosted a signing event for the third cohort of students entering the Consortium of Machining Education Training (CoMeT), a hybrid work-based apprenticeship program that allows participants to “earn while they learn.” Developed in 2023 by college employees, the program was created to meet the growing needs of the machining industry.

“CoMeT Signing Day recognizes students as they begin meaningful career paths,” said Andy Robertson, dean of Workforce Development. “With strong support from our industry partners, this program creates a direct connection between education and real-world careers in advanced manufacturing.”

The event took place at the Beck Conference Center on the Wallace Drive Campus, where 19 industry partners signed 35 students to the third CoMeT cohort, the largest signing class since the program’s inception. Through CoMeT, students attend classes at Gadsden State two days a week and gain hands-on experience working with an industry partner the other three days.

“Through CoMeT, our precision machining students build real-world experience as they work toward their credentials,” he said. “It’s not just employment, it’s a strong starting point for a vital, in-demand career, and Signing Day is where that path begins.”

The students will be paid at least $15 per hour by their employer during five semesters of training. Completers of the program will graduate with an associate in applied science in Precision Machining.

CoMeT is offered in the Precision Machining Building on the Ayers Campus and in the Advanced Manufacturing Center on the East Broad Campus. The program is led by instructors Daniel Anderson and Peyton Amberson. They oversee the students as they complete 1,776 hours of work-based learning as well as five projects.

Students and industry partners participating in CoMeT include:

Associated Metalcast Inc. – Williams Andrews, Sheddrick Brown, Matthew Butler, JD Cameron III, Ava Hanvey, and Christopher Thrasher

Carmin Industries – Joseph Nails and Gunner Reaves

Gadsden Tool Inc. – Blake Green and Landin Tucker

General Dynamics – Yahir Fernandez, Jesse Mangham, Cade Miller, Sean Owen, Kristie Rogers, and Joselyn Sheets

GH Metal Solutions – Conner Davis and Nick Hall

Honda Alabama Auto Plant – Tim Farrow, Ethan Hicks, and PJ Shank

Kobay South – Samuel Cox and Douglas Nunnley

M&H Valve – Chevy McIntyre

Prince Metal Stamping – Granger Rowland, Dakota Tidwell, and Gavin Wolfe

Renaissance Manufacturing Group – Tristian Brown

Stamped Products Inc. – Kollin Reed

Alternates: Phoxton Benjamin, Kamryn Curran, Jaxon Hamby, Yoseline Ocampo, Brayson Peek, and Noah Tarvin

Additional CoMeT industry partners: Brannon Machine, Bryant Machine Company, Choice Fabricators, New South Express, Parker Hannifin, Soteria Suppressors, Superior Swiss Solutions, and Unipres.

For more information, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/comet.

Photos from the event can be found HERE.