EIGHT AREA INDIVIDUALS WELCOMED INTO THE OH! FAME PROGRAM

OH! FAME selects 8 participants for program that brings local manufacturers and educators  together to create a skilled workforce pipeline and pathway to area jobs 

Findlay, Ohio, August 15, 2020— The Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (OH! FAME) of Findlay-Hancock County welcomed its second-ever incoming cohort with a Signing Day event on Friday, August 14^th. Five Findlay-Hancock County manufacturers have partnered with Raise the Bar – Hancock County and Owens Community College (Findlay Campus) to sponsor this year’s cohort. The eight selected participants now begin their 18-month journey toward an Associate of Technical Studies – Applied Engineering, an Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) certification, and 1,800+ paid on-the-job hours at their sponsoring company.  

Selected individuals and their sponsoring companies for this “earn-while-you-learn” program include:  

Brendon Iliff (Arlington, OH), Ball Corporation; Ryder Egbert (Mount Blanchard, OH), Gabe Heilman (Findlay, OH) and Isaiah Wolford (Arcadia, OH), Molten; Cory Warnecke (Ottawa, OH), Nissin Brake Ohio; Lincoln Bockbrader (Perrysburg, OH) and Clay Santos (McComb, OH), Simona-PMC; and Conner Klaft (Holland, OH), Veoneer. 

Tricia Valasek, Manager of Raise the Bar – Hancock County, a workforce development organization based in Findlay-Hancock County, is pleased to see this program grow with the addition of this talented cohort. “OH! FAME, Findlay-Hancock County stands as Ohio’s only program preparing individuals to earn certification as Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT). Our newest cohort reflects a group of aspiring individuals from across the region who value a skilled, hard work ethic and passionately seek careers that align with their interests in electricity, machining, and fabrication. OH! FAME’s hands-on curriculum, excellent instruction, and mentorship elements will prepare these individuals to become global-best, highly skilled workers.” 

Individual Signing Day events occurred outdoors on each sponsoring company’s site due to COVID-19 restrictions. Each event gathered representatives of the sponsoring company, Owens Community College, Raise the Bar – Hancock County, new AMT students, and immediate family members. Signees were presented a Signing Day plaque, an OH! FAME polo to be worn during all classes and at work, and a mask adorned with the OH! FAME logo.  

The OH! FAME program annually inducts a cohort in late spring/early summer. Applications for the 2021 cohort will become available in late fall 2020 for interviews and selection in spring 2021. Additional details regarding the OH! FAME program are available at www.raisethebarhancock.org/ohfame.   

Raise the Bar – Hancock County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on workforce development, supporting initiatives through partnerships with the public, private, and social sectors. 

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