New Tyson Foods Donates $10,000 to Sustain SKYCTC’s Work and Learn Program, SKY FAME
Photo from left to right: Keary Simpson Maintenance Manager II, Eddie Phelps Maintenance Training Manager, Brian Wikel Plant Manager, Emily Turner Learning Manager, Kristen Martin Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Kelcie Richart Campus Director SKYCTC Franklin-Simpson Center
FRANKLIN, KY (March 12, 2024)
Tyson Foods' recently opened facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is poised to transform the food processing landscape through its groundbreaking integration of robotics technology. Beyond showcasing Tyson's unwavering dedication to technological innovation, the plant's cutting-edge infrastructure is set to revolutionize efficiency and productivity benchmarks within the industry. To further bolster their commitment to progress, Tyson Foods has contributed $10,000 to the Southcentral Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (SKY FAME) endowment campaign. This donation aims to nurture a sustainable talent pipeline of maintenance technicians.
SKY FAME operates as a selective, work-and-learn admissions program designed to educate Advanced Manufacturing Technicians (AMTs). Students attend classes at the SKYCTC Franklin-Simpson Center two days per week while working a minimum of 24 hours per week at a sponsoring manufacturer – all while receiving a competitive wage. AMTs study a diverse technical skill set, including electricity, robotics, fluid power, mechanics, fabrication, industrial troubleshooting, and more. Upon completing five semesters, students earn an Associate Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology (Advanced Manufacturing Technician) and accumulate over 1,800 hours of on-the-job work experience.
"At Tyson Foods, we continuously strive to leverage technology to drive innovation and improve our operations," stated Keary Simpson, Maintenance Manager II. "Through our collaboration with the SKY FAME program, we take great pride in investing in the future of our industry by advancing the growth of the next generation of skilled maintenance technicians. This donation emphasizes Tyson Foods' commitment to strengthening the wider community's efforts in cultivating multi-skilled technicians for our region”.
Kelcie Richart, as the Campus Director at SKYCTC’s Franklin-Simpson Center, expressed sincere appreciation to Tyson Foods for entrusting the program with the opportunity to advance the skills of its maintenance students. Richart highlighted, "We are very grateful for our outstanding partnership with Tyson Foods. Our collaborative efforts underline our united commitment to workforce enhancement and collective success, demonstrating that through our collaboration, we can forge pathways that yield positive outcomes for our students, businesses, and communities."
It's especially rewarding to see our support making a real impact, with a SKY FAME graduate now serving as Tyson's Maintenance Training Supervisor. Eddie Phelps, who graduated from the program in 2018, shared, "SKY FAME is an excellent program that provided me with a solid foundation to excel in my manufacturing career. Having experienced it firsthand, I understand how the FAME model can pave the way for students to build successful careers."
To learn more about SKY FAME, contact Franklin-Simpson Center Campus Director Kelcie Richart at kelcie.richart@kctcs.edu or Franklin-Simpson Center Success Coach Kaylah Hadden at kaylah.hadden@kctcs.edu.
