The Northeast Indiana Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NEINFAME) has announced three new employer partners for its program, effective immediately. The addition of Auburn-based Metal Technologies, Warsaw-based Tecomet and Fort Wayne-based Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc. brings the total number of employer partners in the NEINFAME program to nine.

Metal Technologies, Tecomet and Valbruna Slater Stainless join AMT, Fort Wayne Metals, LH Industries, Micropulse, Steel Dynamics and Zimmer Biomet as companies providing select students through the two-year program with a paid work experience — with a focus on developing critical professional and technical skills — while attending classes.

“We are excited to welcome three more outstanding Northeast Indiana manufacturers to this program,” Jeff Hansen, chair of the NEINFAME Chapter and vice president of environmental sustainability at Steel Dynamics. “Not only does our program provide students a pathway to a career in advanced manufacturing, it also allows outstanding employer partners like Metal Technologies, Tecomet and Valbruna Stainless Steel to collaborate and grow Northeast Indiana’s regional talent pool, resulting in a positive outcome for them, for local students, and for our community.”

“Like many large employers throughout the region, we recognize one of the most important and efficient ways to address the acute skills gap and labor shortage our region faces is in developing and retaining our homegrown talent,” Sara Brown, human resources manager for Metal Technologies, said in the announcement. “The Northeast Indiana FAME program plays a critical role in helping companies like ours identify, engage and develop students interested in a career in advanced manufacturing. We’re excited to be a part of a program that is so important to the long-term future of our region.”

The NEINFAME program is open to any graduating high school senior or anyone interested in a degree and career in advanced manufacturing, and applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2023 cohort.

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