Manufacturers wanting to tap a pipeline of skilled, enthusiastic workers might want to look at the national FAME program.
Toyota started the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, or FAME, in Kentucky in 2010. It was centered at Bluegrass Community & Technical College to bolster the ranks of manufacturing workers, providing an educational pathway with on-the-job training linked to a degree program. In 2019, Toyota broadened its program to The Manufacturing Institute, the National Association of Manufacturers’ nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate.
With 40 chapters in 16 states and 450 partner companies, FAME now provides education, training and certifications for the Advanced Manufacturing Technician occupational track. Approximately 2,100 students have graduated since 2010, and 90% of students go on to full-time work with sponsoring companies.
Sarah Dougherty, co-owner with her husband, Stephen, of Solace Boats and Dougherty Manufacturing, brought FAME to Florida to help improve the pool of skilled employees.
“When we owned Everglades Boats, I saw the need for a program when I noticed applicants coming through the door who were not dressed properly, could not complete an application, and had no skills to even add to the application,” Dougherty says. “These were young kids who just graduated from high school. After selling the company, we started Dougherty Manufacturing, where I was responsible for all H.R. I continued to see the same trend.”
The FAME program, she learned, focused heavily on building character, soft skills and problem-solving, along with safety culture. Dougherty worked with two other local manufacturing facilities to engage Daytona State College as their sponsoring school.
“It was a big ask of the college,” Dougherty says. “While they were busy making it work on their end, the three of us were required to attend the FAME National Conference and visit another college that was already active in the program. The process has been so well perfected by Toyota that we had great guidance throughout.”
Over five semesters in the two-year program, students split their time each week: two days in the classroom and three days working with sponsoring companies, earning a salary. They graduate with an associate of science degree in engineering technology, a nationally recognized FAME AMT certificate and two years of hands-on experience.
At Daytona State College, the 18 students who graduated from FAME were all offered full-time work at their sponsor companies. Now in its fifth year, the Sunshine Chapter’s industry partners include ABB, Ameritech, B. Braun, Blue Origin, Dougherty Manufacturing, Sparton, Teledyne and Thompson Pump.
“I have other schools, other counties who call me and want to know how to get a FAME chapter up and running,” says Wendy Samuel, FAME program coordinator at Daytona State College. “It’s an employer-led program, so the manufacturers have to contact their local schools. They take part in the recruiting, provide mentors, and there’s a lot of communication between us, the manufacturers and the students. Without manufacturers’ enthusiasm and support, it’s hard to keep it going.”
The most difficult part of the process, Dougherty says, is making sure the local college is prepared to handle the program. Finding the right college administrator to work with the students can also be a challenge.
“Wendy Samuel at DSC has been phenomenal,” Dougherty says. “As for the employer, allowing for flexibility and making sure a student isn’t counting screws is important. This is a commitment to a student that can change his or her entire life’s direction for the better. It is a time to give them an opportunity to see all aspects of manufacturing, from maintenance to engineering and as much in between as possible. I’ve watched so many of these students go from kids to adults overnight. It’s extremely rewarding to know that you can offer something to a young person and truly make a difference, for them and your own company.”
Dougherty currently has one FAME student working, and she hired her first student, Tyler Cheatham, who is simultaneously enrolled at the University of Central Florida’s mechanical engineering program.
“I encourage all of the boatbuilders to work with your local schools as much as possible, even starting in elementary school,” Dougherty says. “Many students do not know everything that goes on in boatbuilding. We do tours for students during school hours and after school. We have to invest as much as possible with students since shop class is a thing of the past in many places.”
For more information on the program, visit fame-usa.com.
