OWENSBORO, Ky. — Owensboro Community and Technical College is proud to announce that due to employer demand, the 2021 class of GO FAME is accepting candidates through July 27, 2021. The GO FAME application may be accessed at https://edc.owensboro.com/go-fame-application/. OCTC classes begin Aug. 16, 2021.
GO FAME is a partnership with OCTC, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and local industry members. GO FAME is an 18-month work-and-learn program where students work at a participating company three days a week and attend classes two days a week. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technician or Computerized Manufacturing and Machining.
“After the initial selection process, all students were offered a spot with a participating employer, and several companies were still interested in supporting a student. So, we decided to accept additional applications to try and fill that gap for local employers, and to offer this life-changing opportunity to more students,” said Antoine Smith-Rouse, the GO FAME success coach.
GO FAME uses an employer selection process to best match the needs of the member companies and students. After completing the GO FAME application, housed on the GO EDC website, students will be contacted to schedule an interview.
In addition to offering on-the-job experience, a student’s sponsoring company agrees to pay the student a minimum of $12 an hour to help offset at least 50% of the student’s out-of-pocket tuition costs. The GO FAME program is eligible for the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, sponsored by the Kentucky Lottery, which covers 100% tuition and mandatory fees for qualified students. Visit workreadykentucky.com to apply for this scholarship or learn more about eligibility.
“If students are interested in manufacturing, they should apply, our team can help them navigate the process and make sure they maximize all the financial aid options that are available” added Smith-Rouse.
Companies currently sponsoring GO FAME students include Waupaca Foundry, Toyotetsu MidAmerica, Metalsa Owensboro Inc., Kimberly Clark, ADM Industries Inc., Century Aluminum, Castlen Steel, Whitworth Tool Inc., Industrial Mold & Machine Co., Omico Plastics Inc., Big Rivers Electric Corporation, Regional Water Resource Agency, Unifirst and U.S. Bank.
OCTC’s GO FAME is accepting applications until July 27, 2021, for classes beginning in August 2021 for both the AMT and CMM track. Interested students are encouraged to apply here or contact Antoine Smith-Rouse via email at Antoine.SmithRouse@kctcs.edu or text/call 606-278-0209 for more information.