HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (October 9, 2020) – The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is excited to announce its partnership with the Alabama Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (AL FAME) – Rocket City Chapter, part of the national FAME USA network led by The Manufacturing Institute. The Chamber is joining forces with local industry and education partners as well as The Manufacturing Institute to help support this trusted employer-led talent solution. The purpose of FAME is to be the driving force for developing world-class technical talent for manufacturing and other employers of technical workers. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program administered under the FAME model leverages a work/learn framework to weave technical knowledge, professional behaviors and distinct manufacturing core exercises into a focused co-op experience.
Scott Russo, AL FAME – Rocket City Chapter President, shares, “I am excited about this new partnership. The rapid growth of this chapter shows the value of the FAME model and now, with more than 20 companies sponsoring AMTs, it is a great time to add an experienced and trusted partner to help us manage the Chapter. We welcome this partnership with the Chamber, which we know will allow us to continue to grow to support the workforce needs of this region.”
“The partnership is a model of win-win: the Chamber is helping employers solve their skilled position needs through our FAME model while growing local workforce capacity—and at the same time these employers are strengthening their pipeline of global-best talent while fostering relationships with local schools to continue to feed that pipeline,” said Tony Davis, Senior Director for Workforce Initiatives for The Manufacturing Institute and national leader for FAME USA. “All of this makes the area more attractive for continued growth, ensuring the entire region benefits from the economies created through this partnership.”
FAME Growth:
- More than 30 locations across 13 states
- More than 300 sponsoring employers
- 1,100+ graduates
FAME is the premiere Advanced Manufacturing workforce education and development program and provides a sustainable and globally competitive pipeline of highly skilled talent that can meet the unique needs and challenges facing manufacturing companies.
The AMT program develops global-best, entry-level multiskilled maintenance technicians through:
- Specific academic foundation
- Intensive, consistent reinforcement of distinct professional behaviors and practices
- Deep integration of core competencies in manufacturing
- On-site, intentional work/train experience for two years
In total, AMTs gain nearly 1,800 hours of experience over the course of the program, working three days a week and attending class two days a week.
Upon graduation, AMTs will demonstrate mastery in the Manufacturing Core Exercises (MCE’s) of Safety Culture, 5S Organizational Management, Lean Manufacturing, Problem Solving and Machine Reliability.
Join your local FAME chapter, form partnerships with local educational institutions, and recruit high-achieving graduates. To learn more, join the Manufacturing Institute on Wednesday, October 21 at 8:30am CST for a virtual “FAME Live!” event. For full event details, visit the registration page.
Below are some websites that also can be used to learn more about the FAME program:
calhoun.edu/student-services/career-services/fame-amt/
For more information, contact Lydia Pennington, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s Industry Relations Director: [email protected]