Quincy On Wednesday, June 11, in the main lobby of the JWCC Workforce Development Center, located at 2710 N. 42nd, John Wood Community College hosted a signing ceremony for ten students who were chosen to become members of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Great River branch.
FAME USA, a nationwide workforce development initiative aimed at creating a supply of highly qualified technicians for the manufacturing sector, has a local chapter called Great River FAME. JWCC, FAME USA, the Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), and six local manufacturers—ADM, DOT Foods, Gardner Denver, General Mills, Knapheide, and Titan International—have partnered to create the program.
In addition to working three days a week with a sponsoring firm and attending JWCC two days a week for practical technical instruction, FAME students obtain an associate’s degree in applied science in advanced manufacturing technology. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on lean manufacturing techniques, safety, and professional abilities.
The following employer sponsors signed statements of intent with the students:
- Shane Alberts Gardner Denver (Quincy)
- David Goerlich DOT Foods (Quincy)
- Jaren Henry Gardner Denver (Bowen)
- Garrett Tunget Knapheide (Quincy)
- Treyton Clements Titan International (New London, Mo.)
- Nathan Sparks ADM (Lewistown, Mo.)
- Christopher Alspaw General Mills (Canton, Mo.)
- Aaron Clevenger Knapheide (Camp Point)
- Matthew Torres General Mills (Quincy)
- Rex Toliver Titan International (Durham, Mo.)
Cole Schwartz, director of workforce and community development at GREDF, served as the event’s emcee. Josh Welker, dean of business services and institutional effectiveness at JWCC, gave remarks while program coordinator Dave Hetzler gave an introduction. Official paperwork were co-signed by representatives of each participating enterprise and the student signees. In order to support and congratulate the children, family members, teachers, peers, and business partners came.
Visit jwcc.edu/FAME or send an email to gavin Ideus [email protected] for additional details about the Great River FAME program.
