MONTGOMERY — Alabama FAME is now the largest statewide partner of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Program with the announcement of its newest chapter at Drake State Community & Technical College.
“The opportunities in this part of the state are immense, and this new FAME chapter will allow more students to earn while they learn, gaining real-world experience in their chosen careers,” said Jimmy H. Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. “Today’s college students value hands-on opportunities, and our industry partners are eager to hire graduates who possess the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the workforce.”
FAME is a five-semester, industry-led program that partners students with industry while they take classes at select community colleges, splitting time between the classroom and company site. Employers integrate the curriculum into real-world applications, ensuring students gain practical, hands-on experience aligned with their future careers.
“They’re training these students to stay,” said Audrey Webb, ACCS director of Work-based Learning. “Now what’s really cool about that is that 90% of those students stay with the company that they’re working at.
“These students earn college scholarships and are debt free when they enter the workforce.”
Alabama’s community colleges have served more than 600 students through AL FAME and Alabama is the second-fastest growing state that’s implementing the FAME program, according to Webb.
“Alabama has been wildly successful with FAME and a fantastic partner to work with. We refer other states to the model that has been established in Alabama,” said Alisyn Jackson, the deputy director for USA FAME, which includes more than 40 FAME chapters across 17 states.
Initially focused on training industrial maintenance technicians with the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Huntsville in partnership with Calhoun Community College, FAME has expanded in the state to nearly 200 industry sponsorships, which include Alabama Power, Amazon, and companies specializing in paper, steel, oil, gas, and tier 1 and 2 suppliers, among others.
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