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FAME program offers two‑year paid pathway into manufacturing, VMA tells Youth Advisory Board
Summary
Jessica Lovett of the Volusia Manufacturers Association presented the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) to the Daytona Beach Youth Advisory Board on March 26, describing a paid, work‑and‑school pathway that partners with Daytona State College and local employers.
Jessica Lovett, president and CEO of the Volusia Manufacturers Association, told the Daytona Beach Youth Advisory Board on March 26 that the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) gives students a paid, two‑year pathway into manufacturing careers.
Lovett said the FAME model places students at a manufacturing employer three days a week and in school two days a week; after five semesters students graduate with an advanced manufacturing technician degree. "You go to work in a manufacturing plant 3 days a week. You go to school 2 days a week, and at the end of 5 semesters, you graduate with an advanced manufacturing technician degree," Lovett said.
The program, Lovett said, can lead to starting salaries around $65,000. She described one local graduate who was hired by Germfree after finishing the program at a starting wage of about $65,000 and later moved into a higher‑paying role making roughly $95,000. Lovett added that CareerSource may cover tuition and books and that VMA has budgeted funds to cover lab or project costs so students do not pay out of pocket.
Lovett described a small, competitive local footprint for the program: "The fame program only has 20 slots. We would love to have 150 applicants," she said, and listed several local employers that have participated or been involved with FAME, including ABB, Germfree, Boston Whaler, Teledyne, Spartan and Bylight. She said employers vary their participation depending on staffing needs and that most manufacturers in the region employ fewer than 20 people.
Board members asked whether the FAME pathway is for high school students; Lovett said applicants must graduate high school and enroll at Daytona State College, and that the program awards a two‑year degree after five semesters. She described PERT testing and remedial math support for students who do not pass the initial placement test. Lovett offered a contact for the college enrollment process, naming Daytona State staff member Wendy Samuels and providing a cell number for follow up.
Lovett encouraged students interested in engineering, applied manufacturing or design to consider FAME and said the program also supports public speaking and mentorship for participants. She closed by telling the board she had emailed the program link to members and left contact information for follow up.
Daytona State College and CareerSource were referenced during the presentation as partners in the student entry and funding process. The presentation did not propose any formal action for the board to take; Lovett offered materials and contact information for students and the board to promote the program locally.
