The Manufacturing Institute announced the inaugural recipients of the FAME Catalyst Grant, which will seed the formation of six new chapters of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) as part of the MI’s new AI Skills Initiative. 

FAME, founded by Toyota and led by the MI since 2019, offers earn-and-learn apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of manufacturing talent. As the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI continues to lead the industry in building and strengthening the manufacturing workforce. The expansion of the FAME network comes as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technology are rapidly changing the industry and its workforce needs. 

Manufacturers have over 400,000 open jobs due to a long-documented skills gap. Left unaddressed, manufacturers could see 1.9 million jobs go unfilled by 2033. The new chapters will create industry hubs to help build durable talent pipelines for years to come.

To start a FAME chapter, local manufacturers partner with industry or economic development organizations and community colleges or technical schools to offer hands-on education and training to students. The MI Catalyst Grants offer $50,000 in early-stage support to the sponsoring economic development organizations to fund staff time and travel involved in starting a FAME chapter. 

In total, the first grants amount to $300,000 in funding that will not only help manufacturers develop the skilled talent they need but also help students start lifelong careers in manufacturing.

The six inaugural recipients are:

•    East County Economic Development Council in El Cajon, California

•    Carroll Tomorrow in Carrollton, Georgia

•    One Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana

•    Hinds County Economic Development Authority in Jackson, Mississippi

•    Greater St. Cloud in St. Cloud, Minnesota

•    Big Country Manufacturing Alliance in Abilene, Texas

After building a coalition of local manufacturers along with a community college partner to support FAME chapter development, the recipients will enter the FAME Academy by October 2026 to learn how to manage the FAME Advanced Maintenance Technician program to deliver global-best results. Their first cohorts of students will be selected for employment at their selected company in spring 2027 and begin training and classes in fall 2027.

Once open, the chapters in Minnesota and Georgia will be the first in their states, bringing FAME’s total reach to 52 chapters in 19 states.

“As our industry continues to navigate the opportunities that come with integrating artificial intelligence into our operations, we also need to ensure that our frontline workers have the skills they need to make the most of the AI revolution,” said MI President Carolyn Lee. “With six new chapters getting off the ground—and more to follow—FAME is spanning the skills gap and providing manufacturers a workforce solution that meets the needs of today and tomorrow.”

“We are excited to see FAME continue to grow and to welcome six new chapters to the network,” said FAME National Director Tony Davis. “The interest we’ve seen from manufacturers and economic development organizations across the country demonstrates the success of the model. This is just the beginning.”

Google.org provided funding for the MI’s AI Skills Initiative, which includes the creation of a dedicated course in AI Skills for Advanced Manufacturing Technicians and will help grow the FAME network.

In April, Google.org announced $10 million to the MI to support AI skills development in the manufacturing workforce.

In February, Lee gave the annual State of the U.S. Manufacturing Workforce Address, which recognized how AI is accelerating change, creating new opportunities and emphasizing the need to address the skills gap. 

 For more information, visit https://themanufacturinginstitute.org/.