FAME Built By Baldwin program holds first signing day for committed students

BY RUTH MAYO
Reporter
ruth@gulfcoastmedia.com

FAIRHOPE — Built By Baldwin, Baldwin County’s chapter of Alabama’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME), held its first ever signing day for applicants.

According to their website, FAME is “an innovative program” designed to facilitate the education of “highly skilled workers for the manufacturing industry.” Built By Baldwin is the Alabama FAME chapter that focuses on “enhancing workforce development within Baldwin County.”

By pledging to commit to FAME – Built By Baldwin, the participants will be sponsored by one of 11 company partners with a 90% guarantee for full-time employment after the program. The companies include Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Collins Aerospace, E-Covery, Gulf Packaging a Supply One Company, Kaishan Compressor USA, Novelis, Outokumpu, Saunders Yachtworks, Segers Aerospace, Vulcan Inc. and Quincy Compressors.

Jennifer Crawford, vice president of Human Resources for Vulcan Inc., said this is the first signing day for FAME – Built By Baldwin. She said the initial 15 students will not only learn workplace skills but also find their voice and become “confident, capable Advanced Manufacturing Technician(s) (AMT).”

FAME – Built By Baldwin launched in August last year, Crawford said. The next steps for the students who signed on will be a four-day-long “intensive orientation bootcamp” in early June.

“This training is designed to familiarize them with the AMT program and its expectations,” Crawford said, “while also introducing them to the professional conduct safety culture and workforce standards embedded in the FAME USA curriculum.”

After the bootcamp, the “First Summer” begins with students working 40-hour-weeks at their sponsoring company until college classes begin in August. Once classes start, students will work the “traditional FAME AMT model” working at their sponsoring company for 24 hours a week while attending FAME classes twice a week.

The 15 students enrolled in this first year of FAME – Built By Baldwin will complete their program in May 2027.

“We hope the students recognize that Alabama FAME – Built By Baldwin is not just a program,” Crawford said, “they are stepping into a bold, hands-on, real-world experience surrounded by people who know how to solve problems, think big and these students will be a part of building what’s next in manufacturing and industry.”