Starting in June 2025, Drake State Community & Technical College will offer a new program directly addressing the urgent need for highly skilled manufacturing technicians. The two-year, Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program is an employer-driven initiative that provides hands-on experience alongside formal classroom education.

A signing day ceremony on Friday, December 6, solidified the partnership between Drake State and the newly established Huntsville Tech Federation Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter. Manufacturers sponsoring students in the program include:

· Bruderer

· Blue Origin

· Kohler

· Mazda Toyota Manufacturing

· Plasma Processes

· Runergy

· Toyota Alabama

“At Drake State, we are committed to providing innovative educational opportunities that meet the needs of our students and the workforce,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, Drake State president. “This partnership allows us to collaborate directly with industry leaders to prepare individuals for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. This program exemplifies the power of partnerships in creating pathways to success, and we are proud to play a role in equipping our community with the skills needed for the future.”

AMT students will gain experience in modern, advanced manufacturing environments and develop an in-demand technical skillset. The program includes courses in electricity, robotics, fluid power, mechanics, fabrication, industrial troubleshooting and more, as well as courses on manufacturing core exercises and professional behaviors. Upon successful completion of the program, students have a fast-track to high-tech, high-paying careers.

“Toyota Alabama is proud to be the championing the newest FAME chapter at Drake State,” said Jason Puckett, Toyota Alabama president. “We have seen the success of the program here locally and at our manufacturing sites across the country. FAME allows students the highest level of hands-on training while earning certifications. This program is about recruiting diverse, high-achieving and career-oriented students.”

The Huntsville Tech FAME chapter will join 10 current FAME programs hosted at Alabama Community College System campuses across the state. The FAME program was created in 2010 by Toyota in Kentucky to establish a cooperative between employers and grow a talent pipeline of skilled technicians. In 2019, it moved to the Manufacturing Institute, a nonprofit workforce development and educational affiliate of the Association of Manufacturers, for national scaling.

“The team at FAME USA is excited to welcome a new AL FAME chapter into our network, which represents over 40 chapters in 17 states and counting,” said Tony Davis, National Director of FAME USA. “Over 450 manufacturing partners across the nation have discovered the power of the FAME collaborative, and thousands of students have used FAME as their pathway to highly skilled maintenance roles that are in high demand. Congratulations to the HSV Tech chapter, and we look forward to what’s next!”

Applications are now open for the inaugural Huntsville Tech class that will start in Summer 2025. Prospective students can learn more about the program and apply at hsvtechfame.com.