New collaboration to offer opportunities for manufacturing students in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A new workforce development program has launched in Decatur.

Prairie Land Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) alongside Workforce Investment Solutions has partnered with ADM and other manufacturing companies to give the city the opportunity to get new, younger workers into the manufacturing business.

As manufacturing companies develop, so does their technology.

"Given that situation and that emphasis on new phases of technology, this FAME program is going to help educate and train those workforces of the future in a way that they'll be ready to work when their time comes," said Greg Webb, State Government Relations for ADM.

By partnering with both Workforce Investment Solutions and Richland Community College, students can pursue their education while working on a part time basis.

"And following a completion of five semesters, graduating students will not only graduate with an associates degree in engineering technology, but they'll also have real life hands-on experience learning from senior colleagues at each respective manufacturer,” said Lisa Kitchens, the HR manager for Workforce Development at ADM, and the recruiting lead for Prairie Land.

Students in the program work three days in their field, while going to school twice a week.

"And during that time, not only what they are learning in our classroom, they're going to be applying that on the shop floors. and so it's just reiterating all that learning, and ultimately getting paid while going to school,” said John Oliver, dean of Workforce Development.

For more information, visit www.fame-usa.com.