NATCHITOCHES – Five students completed the GeauxFAME Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program, a work/study partnership between Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Northwestern State University and regional industries. Through the program, graduates earned a certificate from CLTCC and an associate degree from NSU while working at a regional manufacturing facility.
Graduates, who were honored earlier this week, and their sponsoring company are Jay Latour of Many (Alliance Compressors), Cody Tibbett of Baton Rouge (AFCO), Justin Jacobs of Pleasant Hill (RoyOMartin), Kyleb McMahon of Many (Boise Cascade) and Luke Holloway of Choudrant (Stella-Jones).
Students in the AMT program work three days per week in one of the sponsoring manufacturing facilities earning $12 per hour and take classes two days per week that are taught by NSU and CLTCC faculty. Upon completion of the two-year program, graduates receive an AMT certificate, as well as an associate degree in engineering technology from NSU that is applicable to a bachelor’s degree should the student wish to continue studies. Completers also have earned valuable hands-on work experience and a competitive edge over their peers, administrators said.
AMT students are part of the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME), the program’s national umbrella, locally established as GeauxFAME. GeauxFAME joins other states in FAME USA, which seeks to develop technical talent for manufacturing employers of technical workers.
McMahon earned the Distinguished Graduate Award, the highest award bestowed by the employers in the local FAME chapter.
“The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes the AMT graduate who most fully embodies and presents all the key elements of the AMT Program,” said Tommy Peek, President of the Louisiana GeauxFAME chapter.
“While the award is determined and bestowed by the employers, significant input to the award is also needed by the college partner. The faculty and staff at the college are the only ones who consistently see the AMT students altogether and can provide input on their performance relative to the areas of consideration,” said Gwen Fontenot, interim CLTCC/BPCC campus dean.
“As the President of the GeauxFAME Board, I am so proud of our Distinguished Graduate. Kyleb McMahon has grown in knowledge and skill in our leadership ranks at Boise Cascade’s Engineered Wood Production Facility. He is an active contributor to our production leadership team and always mentors and coaches junior AMT students,” said Tommy Peek, director of Human Resources at Boise Cascade.
In addition to the companies listed above, participating partners also include International Paper, Modern Electronics & Equipment, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and Weyerhaeuser. The program is supported by the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance, an economic/workforce development group.
“The AMT industry/education partnership was specifically developed to align with regional industry workforce needs,” said NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones. “It benefits the students and it benefits the industries and we are proud to congratulate these AMT program completers.”
For more information about the AMT program or any other program within NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology or the College of Arts and Sciences, email coas@nsula.edu.
Kyleb McMahon of Many earned the Distinguished Graduate Award, the highest award bestowed by the employers in the local FAME chapter and is pictured with personnel from his partnering company, Boise Cascade of Lena. From let are Hugh “Wade” Dowden, maintenance mentor; Mark Bossier, plant manager; McMahon and Huey Dubois, maintenance superintendent.
