MUSCLE SHOALS, ALA. — Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) hosted its inaugural Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Signing Day today (6/13) on the Shoals Campus as 19 students were sponsored by 12 local business and industry sponsors.

19 students sign into Northwest-Shoals' inaugural FAME class
19 students sign into Northwest-Shoals’ inaugural FAME class

The FAME Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program at NWSCC is a pathway to a challenging and well-paying career as a multi-skilled technician. Students will attend classes two full days per week (16-20 hours per week) while working three full days a week (24+ contact hours) with a sponsoring company. Over two years, students can earn as much as $33,500, which with planning can cover all of a student’s education expenses.

“It is so exciting to see our industry partners invest in Northwest-Shoals and our students,” stated NWSCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross. “The partnership we formed with these 12 companies through the FAME program will benefit our students, their companies, and our community for years to come. This is just the beginning.”

Each student interviewed with the sponsoring companies on May 22, and students were drafted by companies that afternoon. Students were then notified and began the pre-employment process with each of the respective companies. The inaugural FAME class will begin working immediately with their respective companies, but will begin classes in August when the NWSCC Fall semester begins.

The 2019-2020 FAME Program signees were:

Student

Hometown

Sponsoring Company

Allen Brice Townsend

St. Joseph, Tenn.

North American Lighting

Aubrey Shirah Wylie

Tuscumbia

North American Lighting

Trey Alexander Byrd

Rogersville

North American Lighting

Isaac Emmanuel Salamanca

Florence

North American Lighting

Isaac Cole Hulsey

Florence

FreightCar America

Austin James Thompson

Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

FreightCar America

Christopher Heath Brown

Florence

Tasus

Preston Caleb Hughes

Hillsboro

Pilgrim’s

Noah Robert Boggan

Florence

Applied Chemical Technology

Walter Thomas Buchanan

Russellville

G & G Steel

Colton Brody Chapman

Muscle Shoals

G & G Steel

Jordan Story Nutt

Florence

Essity

Carter James Azbell

Florence

Essity

Barry Louvert Knight, Jr.

Florence

Southwire

Lucas Wyatt Isbell

Muscle Shoals

Mid-South/Central Extrusion Die Company

Donovan Jabar Allen

Florence

Mid-South/Central Extrusion Die Company

Rebel Dylan Duane Staggs

Florence

Tri-Cities Manufacturing

Seth Avery Thompson

Sheffield

Flexco

Kirkland Thomas Danielowicz

Florence

Forsythe and Long Engineering

“It is truly amazing to see how our area companies have taken ownership of this program,” said NWSCC FAME Coordinator Leslie Tomlinson. “This program and the partnership it has strengthened with local business and industry gives our students an advantage in the workforce they have not had before. I can’t wait to see how this program grows from here.”

The FAME program began in Kentucky in 2009 with Toyota as one of the main initial industry sponsors, and the initiative has been established in Alabama in recent years.

For more information about FAME at NWSCC, contact Tomlinson at 256-331-8040, ltomlinson@nwscc.edu or visit www.nwscc.edu/fame.

About Northwest Shoals Community College:

Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) is part of the Alabama Community College System and home to more than 3,500 students. NWSCC offers over 100 certificate and degree programs and is committed to providing career technical, academic, and lifelong educational opportunities that promote economic growth and enrich the quality of life for the people it serves. For more information about the NWSCC, visit www.nwscc.edu.