Great River FAME
Welcome to the First Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Chapter in Illinois!
Great River FAME is made possible by these visionary and innovative partners:
What is FAME?
FAME is local chapter of a national organization providing students with work and learn opportunities to support students in building in-demand manufacturing careers with local companies. Students attend class at the John Wood Community College Workforce Development Center two days a week to learn advanced manufacturing skills and apply them while earning a highly competitive wage at one of our manufacturing partners the other three days a week. Participants may be eligible for financial assistance through financial aid, scholarships, and employee tuition reimbursement. Students who complete the FAME program will be awarded an Applied Associate Degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology.
How do I get started?
Students will need to complete processes with FAME as well as JWCC. The FAME program is a selective and competitive process.
Apply for FAME – Application Deadline is March 31
- Apply to Great River Region FAME https://fame-usa.com/
- Select Student Application (top right), then Apply
- Include a written statement of why you are a good candidate for FAME and how it would impact your future.
- Resume- upload
- Need help with your resume? JWCC Career Services can help! Email or call careerservices@jwcc.edu or 217.641.4963.
- Transcripts- upload
- You can complete the application without uploading these items, but they are required by the application deadline to be considered.
JWCC Admissions
- Apply to JWCC at jwcc.edu/apply
- Select “Manufacturing and Trades” as the “Pathway” and “Advanced Manufacturing Technology” as the degree on the application.
- Request High School or GED transcripts be sent to transcripts@jwcc.edu
- If students have taken previous college classes not at JWCC, have official copies from those institutions sent to JWCC
File the FAFSA
- File the 2025-26 FAFSA at fafsa.gov
- If you have any questions about the FAFSA, please contact the JWCC Financial Aid Office at financialaid@jwcc.edu or 217.641.4333
FAME Application Deadline is March 31, 2025.
Interview Process
- Interviews will be held with prospective FAME students on May 28, 2025. Applicants will be contacted by May 2 of their status and if they are selected to be interviewed.
- Applicants will interview with all six companies participating in FAME on the same day in 10 minute sessions.
- Students will be notified if they have been selected for the program and their selected company shortly after the interview date.
Getting Started
- Onboarding with companies will begin in early July
- JWCC classes will begin on August 18
What is FAME about on the national level?
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education provides global-best workforce development through strong technical training, integration of manufacturing core competencies, intensive professional practices and intentional hands-on experience to build the future of the modern manufacturing industry.
FAME was created by Toyota and moved to the Manufacturing Institute for national scaling in 2019. Today, the Manufacturing Institute, as the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, is proud to manage FAME USA as it continues to grow across the country with the support of more than 400 manufacturers.
