Economic Development and Industry Partners Solidify Funding for Equipment to Support the TX FAME Lone Star Chapter

The Seguin Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Board of Directors has approved more than $830,000 in direct funding to help support the newly established Texas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (TX FAME) Lone Star Chapter. The SEDC’s contribution represents a portion of a more than $2,000,000 funding partnership with the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation, Texas State Technical College (TSTC), Caterpillar Foundation, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) and CMC Steel Texas for purchase and installation of equipment necessary to launch the TX FAME Lone Star Chapter Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) Program. This transformative workforce development program is based out of the Central Texas Technology Center (CTTC) in New Braunfels.

“Building a strong workforce development ecosystem is critical to ensure that Seguin can remain economically competitive,” said Josh Schneuker, Executive Director for the Seguin Economic Development Corporation. “Our regional economic and workforce development stakeholders, along with industry partners see the importance of investing in a transformative workforce development program like FAME. I’m so grateful to the SEDC Board, the New Braunfels EDC, TSTC, Caterpillar, CMC Steel, and GVEC for their financial contributions. Without these collaborative investments, the TX FAME Lone Star Chapter would be non-existent.”

The FAME program provides global-best workforce development through strong technical training, integration of manufacturing core competencies, intensive professional practices and intentional hands-on experience to build the future of the modern manufacturing industry. FAME was created by Toyota and moved to the Manufacturing Institute for national scaling in 2019. Today, the Manufacturing Institute, as the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, is proud to manage FAME USA as it continues to grow across the country with the support of more than 400 manufacturers.

TX FAME Lone Star, the State’s third FAME Chapter, is partnering with TSTC to provide the critical educational component for the AMT Program. The Program will be operated out of the CTTC in New Braunfels. Students will take classes at the CTTC two days a week while working with their sponsoring company three days a week, allowing them to “earn while they learn”. The TX FAME Lone Star AMT program will develop highly skilled workers who earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology. After receiving 1,800 hours of hands-on experience, 85% of graduates proceed to direct employment with a sponsoring company and earn wages that are, on average, 38% higher than non-FAME graduates.

The TX FAME Lone Star Chapter was founded by thirteen employers who will actively sponsor students through the Program starting in the Fall of 2023. Founding companies include CMC Steel Texas (Seguin, Texas), Caterpillar Inc. (Seguin & Schertz, Texas), Alamo Industrial (Seguin, Texas), AmeriTex Pipe & Product (Seguin, Texas), Cavco Industries (Seguin, Texas), Detex Corporation (New Braunfels, Texas), Minigrip (Seguin, Texas), Niagara Bottling (Seguin, Texas), Rave Gears (Seguin, Texas), Republic Plastics (Seguin, Texas), Texas Tito’s (New Braunfels, Texas), and Vitesco Technologies (Seguin, Texas).

“The students and workers of our region deserve to have multiple opportunities for their future,” said Jason Dinscore, TX FAME Lone Star board president and Area Manager Quality Systems for CMC Steel Texas. “By creating a pipeline of talent in a high-demand field, we’re ensuring people have access to well-paying jobs and our area is equipped to attract and retain business.”

Student recruitment is underway for the new TX FAME Lone Star AMT program, with classes beginning in August 2023. Students can start applying immediately at www.lonestarfame.com. Interested manufacturers can also join TX FAME Lone Star by contacting Jason.Dinscore@cmc.com.
You can follow the Seguin Economic Development Corporation on the SEDC’s Facebook Page at facebook.com/seguinedc, on Twitter at twitter.com/SeguinEDC, and on our LinkedIn Page at linkedin.com/company/seguin-economic-development-corporation.

About The Seguin Economic Development Corporation
The Seguin Economic Development Corporation was created in 1994 as a type “4A” Corporation under state law. Seguin Economic Development has worked to promote Seguin as a premiere destination for businesses looking to expand or relocate. Voter created, SEDC receives a portion of Seguin’s sales tax to market Seguin and provide incentives to industries such as manufacturing, biotechnical, distribution, energy and technology. SEDC works with existing companies in Seguin and new businesses that are looking to expand their operations.