NWSCC signs 19 students into inaugural FAME class June 13, 2019

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.