Regional Seal of Excellence Awards

AlabamaWorks, a network of interconnected providers of workforce services, announced in June that Gadsden State Community College was the winner of the first annual Governor’s Work-Based Learning Regional Best Practices Seal of Excellence Award for its FAME program. 

“We are honored to be selected as the best among many other worthy programs,” said Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development. “This award recognizes FAME’s outstanding ability to provide reskilling and work-based learning to students.” 

FAME – Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education – is an apprentice-style program that combines cutting-edge curriculum that supports advanced manufacturing technology and paid working experience. It is a collaboration between Gadsden State, East AlabamaWorks and 11 industry partners. 

“The program teaches them highly sought-after business principles and best practices of a world class manufacturer,” Smith said. “It’s unique in that FAME students earn a wage while attending Gadsden State classes and gain valuable work experience that is attractive to industry in Alabama.” 

Other contenders for the award in Workforce Region 2 included the Building Construction Program at Lincoln High School, the Beautiful Rainbow Café at Gadsden City Schools and the Jacksonville State University Department of Applied Engineering.