GTCC, NC FAME sign 36 students to the class of 2028

At host school GTCC, the North Carolina Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NC FAME), The First in Flight Chapter, fourth class of 36 student recruits.

Guilford Technical Community College and the North Carolina Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NC FAME), The First in Flight Chapter, recently signed its fourth class of 36 student recruits.

Eight of the nine NC FAME companies signed students for the class of 2028 with Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina sponsoring 19 students, Cascade Die Casting sponsoring five students, ABCO Automation and WestRock each sponsoring four students, and Jowat Corporation, Ontex, Thomas Built Buses, and Ziehl-Abegg each sponsoring one student.

The 2028 GTCC, NC FAME class includes:

• Wasif Ahmad – Cascade Die Castings
• Rhema Anuarite – Cascade Die Castings
• Melvin Appaigyei – Toyota
• Jacob Bergman – WestRock
• Daniel Blas – Toyota
• Matthew Bowman – Toyota
• Kahlil Cole – Toyota
• Orlando Corona – ABCO Automation
• Cinnamon Cromer – Toyota
• Jorge Escoto – WestRock
• Leslie Figueroa – Toyota
• Jade Franks – Toyota
• Raul Gonzalez – Toyota
• Jonathan Gutierrez Alonso – Cascade Die Castings
• Nat Haven – WestRock
• Giselle Hernandez Rodriguez – Toyota
• Todd Holland – ABCO Automation
• Jesse Ivey – WestRock
• Deshawn Jefferson – Toyota
• Breanna Laim – Toyota
• Landon Lataille-Roberts – Toyota
• Christopher Leon-Gomez – Jowat Corporation
• Joseph Mahfoud – Toyota
• Noah Medrano – ABCO Automation
• Kevin Merecias Cortes – Cascade Die Castings
• Luis Murillo – Cascade Die Castings
• Keller Nash – Toyota
• Amelia Page – ABCO Automation
• Robert Quarles – Thomas Built Buses
• Kaleb Reinert – Toyota
• Edgar Ruiz – Toyota
• Davon Simon – Ontex
• Seth Thompson – Ziehl-Abegg
• Jonathan Toum – Toyota
• Charles (Truman)Tisdale – Toyota
• Thomas (Max) Wysong – Toyota

The FAME program is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in STEM-related fields in manufacturing and provides a two-year, debt-free associate degree with the goal of equipping students with the skills required for a rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape. NC FAME, The First in Flight Chapter, works with GTCC to educate students in a college setting while also providing on-the-job training with sponsoring manufacturers.

“These students aren’t just signing up for the NC FAME program — they’re signing onto a future filled with purpose, stability, and life-changing career opportunities in advanced manufacturing” said Hillary Walser, president of NC FAME, First in Flight Chapter.

“We’re excited to welcome our fourth class to the NC FAME - The First in Flight Chapter,” said GTCC President, Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. “Each new class reflects the continued growth and momentum of this program, from expanding employer support to rising student interest across the community. As the chapter continues to grow, it is rewarding to see current students help inspire and support the next class as they prepare for high-paying careers here in the Triad.”

NC FAME graduates work three days a week with their sponsoring employer and attend classes at GTCC the other two days, and they are paid for 40 hours each week. After earning an average of 1,800 hours of on-the-job experience, 85% of graduates proceed to direct employment with a sponsoring company. NC FAME graduates can also transfer their credits to a four-year university to pursue a variety of STEM programs.

The First in Flight Chapter includes nine employers; Cascade Die Castings Group in High Point; Jowat Corporation in Archdale; Karl Mayer in Greensboro; Ontex in Stokesdale; Thomas Built Buses in High Point; Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina in Liberty; Ziehl-Abegg in Greensboro; ABCO Automation in Browns Summit; and Smurfit Westrock in Winston-Salem.

For more information on the NC FAME, The First in Flight Chapter at GTCC, visit gtcc.edu/gtccfame/.