OXFORD, AL — Gadsden State Community College celebrated a major milestone for workforce development on April 30 as 50 students officially signed with industry partners for the eighth cohort of its Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program during a ceremony at the Oxford Civic Center.
The FAME program is an apprenticeship-style initiative that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing facilities. Students attend classes two days each week while working three days a week with participating companies.
According to Andy Robertson, dean of Workforce Development at Gadsden State, the program continues to grow due to strong partnerships between education and industry.
“The FAME program is a strong example of effective workforce development: collaborative, practical, and centered on lasting success,” Robertson said. “By blending classroom learning with real-world training, these students are shaping their futures and building a foundation that will support their families and communities for years to come.”
The 2026 cohort includes two groups — FAME South and FAME North. South students will attend classes on the Ayers Campus in Anniston, while North students will study at the East Broad Campus Advanced Manufacturing Center in Gadsden. Gadsden State remains the first college in the nation to operate the FAME program from two separate campus locations.
More than 150 students applied for the program this year, with only 50 selected to participate through a competitive application and interview process involving industry representatives. Robertson said this year’s class is the largest in the program’s history.
“Signing Day represents more than a milestone,” Robertson said. “It marks the start of a life-changing path. These students are stepping into a program that combines academic learning with hands-on experience, equipping them for well-paying, in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing.”
Students accepted into the program complete five semesters of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Industrial Automation, a FAME Advanced Manufacturing Technician credential, and five Lean Manufacturing credentials.
To qualify for the program, applicants must first be accepted to Gadsden State, complete a FAME application, write an essay, and participate in interviews with industry partner representatives. Final participants are selected through a draft-style process conducted by the companies.
Students selected for the 2026 FAME cohort and their industry partners include:
- Automation Robotics Controls – Andrew Woods
- Doncasters – Bentley Cable and Jacob Pentecost
- General Dynamics – Christopher Blevins
- GH Metal Solutions – Dara Aquino
- Honda of Alabama – Rylan Hill, Braxton Maxwell, Derek Tyson, and Blaine West
- Kobay South – Tristen Cochran
- Koch Foods – Ashland Plant – Teon Knox and Hunter Morgan
- Koch Foods – Collinsville Plant – Ryan Anderson, Derrick Jackson, Ian McConnel, Braxton Nash, and Evan Teel
- Koch Foods – Gadsden Plant – Kyler Finley and Devi Tchidewou
- Kronospan – Jesus Bartolo Gijon, Antonio Garza, Anthony Gonzalez-Torres, Sterling McKinney, Braden McMichen, Noah Oswalt, Jack Patterson, Carlos Perez, Zach Pressley, Joel Reyes, Brikael Truss, and Shelomith Yelding
- M & H Valve – Benjamin Brady, Chancten Cole, and Aaron Stubblefield
- New South Express – Gavin Miller
- Prince Metal Stampings – Drew McCarver, Amanda Moore, and Kevin Rodriquez
- Tyler Union – Ethan Finley, Austin Pierce, and Jayden Woods
- Unipres – James Ingram
Alternate selections included Phillip Britt, Edward Jones, Nathaniel Ledbetter, Henry Mancillas, Shanna McGathy, Jude Miller, Kaiden Osborne, and Alfonso Zuniga.
Additional industry partners supporting the FAME program include Bridgewater, Koller Craft, and Legacy Cabinets.
More information about the FAME program is available through Gadsden State Community College.
