MICHauto supports JAMA’s First Michigan FAME Chapter Launch
March 10, 2021
Earlier this week, Bill Rayl, President of the Jackson Area Manufacturing Association (JAMA), kicked off the initial MI FAME JAMA Chapter founders meeting. FAME is the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, which is an umbrella for several training programs centered around Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) courses. Rayl started with a special thanks to Glenn Stevens Jr. and the MICHauto team for making the introductions and taking the initial steps towards getting this important work underway. This new chapter is a result of hard work, careful planning, and collaboration among JAMA, Toyota, FAME, MICHauto, and several stakeholders across the industry and academia.
As Michigan continues to face a shortage of skilled trades and middle-skill workforce in our signature automobility industry, the FAME program is an innovative solution to enhance advanced manufacturing skills. The AMT program develops global-best, entry-level multiskilled maintenance technicians through a specific academic foundation, deep integration of core manufacturing competencies, and on-site, intentional work/train experience for two years.
JAMA’s Michigan Apprenticeship Expansion Grant Award will be a contributing factor in expanding youth apprenticeships (age 16-24) in the region with funding available directly to employers for incentives and cost reimbursement beginning in April 2021. The first AMT Cohort class is scheduled to begin in August 2021 as additional employer and college partners engage over the next quarter.
For more information or to get involved in the first Michigan FAME chapter, contact Bill Rayl at brayl@mijama.org.