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RBC FAME Program

Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program

Earn While You Learn

The Central VA Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program at Richard Bland College prepares students for a rewarding career in a high demand field.  The Central VA FAME AMT Program combines college coursework with paid, on-the-job training and experience, as well as personal behaviors and core manufacturing skills desired by manufacturers.  This program combines cutting-edge curriculum with paid work experience; it integrates highly sought-after business principles and best practices of world-class manufacturers. it is more than a job; it is a pathway to a successful career. The Central VA FAME AMT provides real-world paid working experience through a sponsorship with one of our area manufacturers.

  • 5-semester multidisciplinary, multi-skilled educational program
  • Courses in electricity, fluid power, mechanics, fabrication, troubleshooting, problem-solving, etc.
  • Associate of Science degree
  • AMT Certification
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Not Your Typical College Degree Program

The Central VA FAME AMT Program is more than just sitting in the classroom.  This work/study program gives you the opportunity to learn in the environment in which you will work as well as the ability to apply almost immediately what you learned in class on the manufacturing floor.  The college and the manufacturer work closely together to enhance student learning.  In addition to gaining skill mastery in the education portion of the program, students learn about the culture of manufacturing through workshops such as safety culture, visual workplace organization, lean manufacturing, problem solving, and machine reliability–and by working in a facility three days a week.

Students who qualify and are chosen to participate in the program attend classes two full days a week and work three days per week for a local sponsoring employer.  Students earn a wage while attending college and gain priceless work experience and solid work ethic behaviors with global and local manufacturers.  You will also learn essential manufacturing principles and develop productive work behaviors for excellent self-development skills–skills that are very attractive to employers.  Students who complete the program earn an Associate of Science degree, as well as the AMT certification.

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Program Eligibility Requirements

Acceptance into the Central VA FAME AMT Program involves a selective admissions process.  Once a prospective student has completed the admissions process and met the required benchmarks of the program, participating employers will review applications, interview and select qualifying students for sponsorship with their companies.

Candidate selections are made by the member manufacturers that comprise Central VA FAME– candidates are actually hired by the member employer.  Selection is based on academic record, written essay response, and other factors the manufacturers deem relevant to program performance.  Manufacturers recruit, interview and select students to sponsor for this program. Manufacturers only interview those students who submit all the appropriate documentation demonstrating eligibility–prospective students must also be admitted and enrolled at RBC.  Along with Richard Bland College admission requirements, manufacturers review and select potential students that include the following criteria:

  • 18 years of age at the start of the program
  • High school graduate at the start of the program (cohorts begin each Fall Semester)
  • US citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
  • Demonstrated academic success as measured through grades and class rank
  • Submission of a written essay

Additionally, to complete the program, students must:

  • Commit to remain absolutely illegal drug-free
  • Comply with FAME AMT program policies and the RBC Student Code of Conduct
  • Adhere to their sponsoring employer’s policies, procedures and expectations throughout their sponsorship
  • Fulfill all RBC Associate of Science degree requirements
  • Maintain minimum of “C” or higher in all courses throughout the program
  • Minimum of “Satisfactory” on all work evaluations throughout the program
  • Meet program expectations as outlined in the Commitment Form that will be distributed at program orientation

 

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Financial Aid Questions

Although the sponsoring manufacturers’ compensation packages differ, students who participate in the AMT program, with some planning, can usually cover their education expenses.  There are also financial aid grants and loans available for those who qualify.  Students needing assistance with tuition must start the process by completing an application on the FAFSA.gov website. Students seeking financial aid are encouraged to apply before the deadline of March 1, 2020.  See if you qualify by visiting RBC Financial Aid.

Students are responsible for tuition and fees associated with the AMT program. The program course load is usually 12-13 credit hours per semester.  Students typically work 24 hours per week at the sponsoring manufacturer’s facility.  Students with manufacturer sponsorship must maintain a “C” or higher in all classes to be retained in this selective program.

Financial Aid

After Graduation

While not guaranteed a position with their sponsoring manufacturer, graduates have an opportunity to be hired with a great salary and excellent benefits. Other manufacturers seek professionals with this level of experience and training, plus graduates may opt to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in fields such as engineering, technology or business.

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