GO FAME SEEKING ADDITIONAL EMPLOYER SPONSORS FOR 2019 COHORT

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/26/2019) — The Greater Owensboro Chapter of FAME (GO FAME/GO CAREERS) is seeking new employer sponsors for the next cohort of Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) and Computerized Manufacturing and Machining (CMM) students scheduled to begin classes in August 2019. Employer sponsors benefit from developing highly skilled technicians who understand not only a unique job function or process but also their organization's overall culture and business practice.

David Humphrey, Chief Operating Officer of Hollison Technologies and current president of GO FAME notes, "Today's tight labor market prevents employers from finding skilled manufacturing technicians with the knowledge to assist with the growth of their business. GO FAME partners have gained a competitive advantage by filling their employment needs with a work and learn style training program."

The basic premise of GO FAME involves students participating in college classes two days per week and working in a manufacturing facility three days per week. Each student is sponsored by a company that pays his/her wages, and some pay a portion of the student's tuition. At the worksite, students are paired with a "mentor," who serves as a guide and role model during the experience.

FAME Executive Board member and past President, Will Mounts of Omico Plastics, relates that the work and learn model has genuine ROI for participating companies. "My company easily recouped its investment towards student tuition within the first four months of the program. However, what is incalculable is how Omico's participation as a FAME sponsor has reenergized our business model. Our company has grown 24% over the past four years. We attribute a great deal of that growth to the fresh ideas and talent that the FAME student/workers bring to our production processes."

Students take classes in a cohort model and complete the two-year degree program in less than two years. Upon completion of the program, students receive either an Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) Associate in Applied Science or a Computerized Manufacturing & Machining (CMM) Associate in Applied Science, with the additional benefits of earned practical skills and paid work experience. Graduates can begin full-time employment with the sponsor company or decide to further their technical education at the baccalaureate level. The May 2019 Graduation will bring the total numbers of FAME manufacturing graduates to a total 58 students since the program's inception in 2015.

"While there is no fee for employers to join, the investment from the employer side is tuition assistance above Kentucky's Work Ready Scholarship, wages while the student is working, and supporting the mentoring process with time and talent" added Katie Vincent, GO FAME Coordinator.

The GO FAME Board is currently comprised of the following 32 companies: Kimberly Clark, TTMA, Castlen Steel, OMICO Plastics, Inc., Precision Roll Grinders, Inc., Metalsa, Sun Windows, US Bank, Malcolm Bryant Corp., Paramount Tool & Die, Perdue Farms, ADM Industries, Specialty Foods Group, Unifirst, DSSA, Tri-Fecta, Hollison Technologies, Big Rivers, Dart Polymers, MPD Inc., Industrial Mold & Machine Co., Dal-Tile, Daramic, Whitworth Tool, National Office Furniture, Alliance Coal, LLC, RWRA, DCPS, Southern Tank, Hausner Hard Chrome, Miles Enterprises, and Hunter Douglas, Domtar, Ken-tron, Yager Materials, and Hines Group.

To learn more about GO FAME/GO CAREER BOARD Membership and employer sponsorships, please contact GO FAME Coordinator Katie Vincent at katie.vincent@kctcs.eduor call 270-686-4423.

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