OKC FAME: NURTURING TALENT WITH CLIMATE CONTROL GROUP FOR OKLAHOMA’S WORKFORCE
To help manufacturers in the Greater Oklahoma City region secure the talent needed to grow and maintain a national presence, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber helped launch Oklahoma’s first chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program. This national program combines academic learning with hands-on training to prepare students for manufacturing careers. OKC FAME partnered with Oklahoma State University - OKC to provide an associate’s degree for the students, while also collaborating with manufacturers that provide part-time employment, including Climate Control Group, IDEX Energy – Advanced Flow Solutions and OMADA International. “The OKC-FAME program is unique in our market because it is truly an industry-driven talent partnership,” said Lee Copeland, director of talent programs and partnerships at the Chamber. “We’re so grateful for the robust engagement of our partner-employers. Their involvement ensures real-time grounding for our students; connecting their technical classroom learning, the FAME curriculum and methodology with real-world application in one synchronized program.” In late June, eight students were honored as the first students in Oklahoma to join OKC FAME, beginning their roles at their respective manufacturing companies in August. After nearly eight weeks of balancing work and school, the students are thriving in the program, mastering fundamental principles and acquiring new techniques. OKC FAME student Tai Gott said in his time at Climate Control Group (CCG), he has experienced many adjustments, but his mentors have helped him overcome every challenge. CCG is a more professional working environment than what Gott was initially used to, expressing he had to work on his communication skills. “It’s having more of a mindful demeanor and manners, and then adapting to
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