MUSCLE SHOALS, ALA. — Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) hosted a Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Signing Day this morning (6/22) in the Patriot Center (gym) on the Shoals Campus as 26 students were sponsored by 12 local companies.
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 the difference the FAME program is making in the lives of our students and with our industry partners,” said NWSCC President Dr. Jeff Goodwin. “This is our biggest (FAME) class yet. The partnership we have formed with all 26 companies through the FAME program will benefit our students, their companies, and our community.” The NWSCC FAME program currently has 49 students in the program.
Each student participated in selection interviews and was matched with a sponsoring company. Students were then notified and began the pre-employment process with each of the respective companies. The 2023-2024 FAME class are currently working with their sponsoring companies and will begin fall semester classes on August 17.
The 2023-2024 FAME Program signees were:
| Student | Hometown | Sponsoring Company |
| Carson Ray Archer | Killen | Constellium |
| Rhett Walker Jackson | Spruce Pine | Constellium |
| Amayah Gicole McDaniel | Tuscumbia | Constellium |
| Houston Lee Meek | Florence | Constellium |
| Royal Thomas Sandlin | Moulton | Constellium |
| Gevin Andrew Simmons | Moulton | Constellium |
| Jax Samuel Tedford | Florence | Constellium |
| Aaron Colby Wright | Muscle Shoals | Constellium |
| Jace Andrew Terry | Moulton | Control Southern |
| Zach Glenn Turner | Lexington | DURA |
| Aiden Channing Crittenden | Killen | Essity |
| Jonathan Caige Smith | Russellville | Essity |
| Bradan Joseph Davis | Red Bay | FLEXCO |
| Stone William Freebeck | Florence | FLEXCO |
| Maxwell Wayne Marks | Tuscumbia | Kaiser Aluminum |
| Drace Phillip Banks | Florence | McVantage |
| Andrew Reed Heupel | Killen | McVantage |
| Jake Baxter Hall | Florence | North American Lighting |
| Tyler Ryan Jumper | Tuscumbia | North American Lighting |
| Andrew Clay Rainey | Killen | North American Lighting |
| William Curtis Boyles | Hillsboro | NUCOR |
| Brodie Wayne Gilley | Florence | NUCOR |
| Cosmo Dylan Phillips | Florence | Tarkett |
| Joshua Robert Whitehead | Florence | Tarkett |
| Matthew Cordell Rainey | Killen | TASUS |
| Kaelin Mccasey Simpson | Hillsboro | YKTA |
The FAME program began in Kentucky in 2009 with Toyota as one of the main initial industry sponsors. The NWSCC program, one of seven in the state, is in its third year.
For more information about FAME at NWSCC, contact Allison Mefford at 256-331-5266 or email allison.mefford@nwscc.edu visit www.nwscc.edu/fame.
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About Northwest Shoals Community College:
Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) is part of the Alabama Community College System and home to over 4,000 students. NWSCC has campuses in Muscle Shoals and Phil Campbell, Ala. NWSCC offers over 100 certificate and degree programs and is committed to providing career technical, academic, athletic 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.
