BASF's McIntosh facility is collaborating with the nationally awarded, earn-and-learn Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program at Bishop State Community College. The program connects students with rewarding work and provides hands-on programs for thriving manufacturing careers. BASF is pleased to welcome Wesley Pursley, a currently enrolled student, who will join the Instrumentation and Electrical (I&E) team.

"BASF is investing in my professional career and has inspired me to pursue work in the manufacturing community," said Wesley Pursley. "Having the opportunity to work in scenarios I practiced in school will better prepare me for this industry."

FAME is a unique work-based learning program that helps to meet the employment needs and challenges in advanced manufacturing. This need is satisfied by providing participants with paid work experience. Pursley is gaining experience by working with instrument and electrical instruments, centrifugal pumps, gear boxes, compactors, agitators, and other mechanical equipment. FAME on the Coast offers two career pathways: Process Operations Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

Both program curriculums are the same for the first two semesters, allowing students time to determine which pathway is best for them. The FAME participants attend class twice weekly for 16 or more hours. In addition to the class time, participants work at least 24 hours a week in various careers.

FAME is supported by The Manufacturing Institute (MI), which is a workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers. MI builds, diversifies and strengthens the modern manufacturing workforce, with the goal of furthering individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry.