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| Applications are open for the 2027 class of the Northwest Louisiana Chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NWLA FAME), a work-study program preparing students for high-quality careers as industrial maintenance technicians. The chapter will host an Open House event at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) on Thursday, October 29 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in Building L, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, where those interested in applying can learn more about the program and meet the sponsoring employers. NWLA FAME is a two-year program in which students attend class two days per week at BPCC and work three days per week for their sponsoring employer. Upon program completion, students will earn an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering Technology with a concentration in Industrial Maintenance and numerous other industry-based certifications from BPCC. Sponsoring employers in the NWLA FAME chapter include Benteler Steel/Tube, Bienville Lumber Co., Certainteed, Frymaster, GE Vernova, Kronospan, Omni Specialty Packaging, Pratt Paper and Ternium USA. Many of these companies sponsor current FAME students as well as FAME alumni. Three classes have graduated since the chapter launched in 2022. Founded by Toyota in 2010 to develop a pipeline of highly skilled maintenance technicians, the FAME program became part of The Manufacturing Institute in 2019 and has since expanded to include more than 40 chapters in 19 states, supported by over 450 manufacturing employers. The NWLA FAME chapter is a partnership of 9 regional manufacturers, Bossier Parish Community College, and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) serving as administrator. It is currently the only FAME chapter in Louisiana. To apply or learn more about the FAME program, visit www.NWLAFAME.org.### |
| About North Louisiana Economic PartnershipNorth Louisiana Economic Partnership, an Accredited Economic Development Organization, provides professional economic development services to an 11-parish region of North Louisiana, including lead generation and prospect management. Its mission is to be a catalyst and connector advancing economic growth in the region. Visit nlep.org for more information. |