Since becoming part of the national Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education program, Washtenaw Community College has provided 10 advanced manufacturing students with work as you learn opportunities with local businesses.
Washtenaw Community College has teamed up with regional workforce development organizations and manufacturers to work to fulfill industry talent needs through the national Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (or FAME) work and learn apprenticeship program.
Recently, Washtenaw Community College hosted a “Signing Day” event where the inaugural class of 10 advanced manufacturing students in the new program signed contracts with their employer partners to officially kick off not only the program, but the new academic year.
Students who take part in the program are paired with one of the sponsoring companies to take part in a two-year work and learn program, which will equip them with the necessary skills to take part in the rapidly changing manufacturing industry and offers the opportunity for a path to an associate degree in less than two years without the need to go into debt.
Washtenaw Community College was the first higher education institution in Michigan to join FAME. It is anchored by Toyota Motor North American, and is also supported by Caster Concepts, Orbitform, Lomar Machine & Tool Company, and Novi Precision.
In an article posted on Washtenaw Community College’s website, Jarel Reid, who is an Ann Arbor Skyline High School graduate who signed with Toyota where he is employed in the Research and Development Division, talked about his opportunity, saying, “I am most looking forward to the hands-on experience and learning while doing. Before I knew about this program I was going to go for electrical engineering. This hasn’t changed my mind, but I could see it was a good opportunity.”
After completing his associate degree, Reid has plans to transfer to Michigan State to continue his studies, and sees himself eventually working full time in research and development, perhaps still in the automotive industry.
Of the 10 students who took part in the Signing Day, five of them signed with Toyota.
Andrea Guzman, a recent graduate of Melvindale High School, also signed with Toyota through the FAME program and talked about her experience, saying, “I didn’t plan to go to college only because of the price of college, but now I can leave without debt. We get a job through FAME, and they’re paying you."
Guzman will work at Toyota’s York Township facility on the Research and Development team, where she is developing skills in Computer Aided Design. "I’m very excited with everything that is happening and the support I’m getting. It’s awesome,” she said.
Recent Hartland High School graduate Samuel Kozle noted that he was grateful for the opportunity to sign with machine manufacturer Novi Precision, saying, “If I hadn’t heard about FAME I wouldn’t have too good a sense of direction about where I was going after high school.”
He was also quoted talking about how the FAME program made the opportunity to attend college a possibility for him: “I didn’t want to get into debt without having a clear path of what I wanted to do, but FAME offers a clear set path into a career and is a great opportunity. This aligns with my prior work knowledge both mentally and with the hands-on aspect.”
The FAME program offers participants educational pathways to an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College, apprenticeships, and on the job training and mentoring through industry partners of the school.
Students who take part in the FAME program can be people looking to move into a new career path, military members transitioning to the workforce, or recent high school graduates. The program is set up to provide students with formal education credentials as well as hands-on experience. The program aims to provide lean manufacturing acumen, formal technical capabilities, and professional presence.
Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, who serves as Washtenaw Community College’s President, was quoted about the FAME program as saying, “After years of planning, we are excited to see the FAME program become a reality. We’re making good on our commitment to students, to educate and train them for high-demand jobs, and to the community, to turn out a highly-skilled workforce. This is a win-win for everyone involved, and we’re thankful for the support of many partners to bring these dreams to life."
The MI FAME Michigan Mitten chapter is supported by funding through the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance Workforce Intelligence Network, thanks to a $5.8 million Apprenticeship Building America grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Employment and Training Administration.
Workforce Intelligence Network Executive Director Michele Economou Ureste spoke about the benefits of the grant, saying, "Obtaining the Apprenticeship Building America Grant marks a momentous achievement for Southeast Michigan Community Alliance Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), which allows Washtenaw Community College and five other WIN Board community college partners to build and grow apprenticeships in the region. The establishment of Michigan's inaugural FAME Chapter, the Mitten Chapter, through this grant is met with great enthusiasm. This significant milestone will greatly contribute to the advancement of an apprenticeship ecosystem in the traditional manufacturing sector and non-traditional sectors such as healthcare, winemaking, and early childhood.”
Paul Krutko, who serves as the President and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, which is both the backbone organization and chapter administrator of the Mitten Chapter’s program, talked about the benefits the FAME program will provide all parties involved, saying, “Through the FAME program, we are igniting a powerful synergy between education and industry, cultivating a skilled workforce that not only drives the growth of our region's advanced manufacturing sector but also sets a precedent for collaboration and innovation. This initiative exemplifies the transformative impact that occurs when employers, educators, and community leaders unite to shape the future, fostering economic prosperity and opportunity for generations to come.”
The FAME program is also being supported by Michigan Works! Southeast in Michigan’s Mitten Chapter. Interested students can apply for the Fall 2024 class starting on September 1, and can do so on the MI FAME Mitten Chapter website.
Darrius Johnson, a recent Washtenaw Technical Middle College graduate from Ypsilanti, was hired at Toyota’s Ann Arbor Research and Development group. Johnson talked about what the opportunity means to him, saying, “This is going to drive home what I want to learn, mechatronics and robotics. Ultimately, my goal is to become a robotics engineer. I want to create something new and be a part of it, too. At Toyota I’ll be helping with data collection and testing and giving it back to the engineers. I’ll also be doing drive train. I’m keeping my eyes open. I want to learn as much as I can and stay as long as I can.”
A recent Blissfield High School graduate who was hired at Lomar Machine and Tool Company chimed in as well, saying, “I’m excited that I get to work three days a week and then be in school two days a week. At Lomar you’re in a job shop and regular factory. Buyers come in, and we build our own machines – crimping machines, rack and pinion machines. I have discovered machining. I could be operating a new invention someday.”
Nontraditional student Andrew Denton from Ypsilanti talked about how the FAME program brought him back to his education, saying, “I came back to school last summer after 10 years because I was looking for a career change and for something more stable. I realized how much I enjoyed learning. This path started because I wanted to be an electrician, and then I heard about FAME.”
More information about Washtenaw Community College can be found at the school’s website.