Beech Tree News Network

FRANKLIN, KY (November 8, 2023) In a dedicated show of support for higher education and workforce development, Delta Faucet Company, a leading manufacturer in Morgantown, KY, has announced a substantial donation to help sustain the Southcentral Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (SKY FAME) program at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Franklin-Simpson Center. This initiative aims to fortify the program's long-term viability, empower students, and address the growing demand for skilled technicians.

SKY FAME is a work-and-learn, selective admissions program designed to educate Advanced Manufacturing Technicians (AMTs). Students attend classes at the SKYCTC Franklin-Simpson Center two days per week and work at least 24 hours per week at a sponsoring manufacturer – all while being paid a competitive wage. AMTs study a multi-craft technical skill set, including electricity, robotics, fluid power, mechanics, fabrication, industrial troubleshooting, and more. After five semesters, students earn an Associate Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology (Advanced Manufacturing Technician) and over 1,800 hours of on-the-job work experience.  

Franklin-Simpson Center Campus Director Kelcie Richart shared, “We are excited to launch our case for support as part of the SKY FAME endowment campaign, “Showcase, Support, Sustain… The Future of SKY FAME”. The goal of the campaign is to secure SKY FAME’s financial future to produce global-best maintenance technicians for Southcentral Kentucky and Northern Tennessee. Delta Faucet’s donation is vital in obtaining state-of-the-art training equipment, expanding our marketing reach, training our faculty, and leaving a legacy that empowers SKY FAME to thrive in perpetuity.” 

Delta Faucet Company is the first to donate to the campaign at the Gold Tier of $25,000 during a pivotal moment when educational institutions strive to enhance the quality of talent pipelines to meet the demands of Kentucky’s thriving economic development ventures. The SKY FAME program has graduated more than 100 global-best advanced maintenance technicians who play a crucial role in keeping industrial machinery and infrastructure running smoothly, and the demand for students with these skills is higher than ever. 

"At Delta Faucet Company, we recognize the importance of investing in education and fostering the growth of the skilled workforce," said Bryan Vice, Morgantown Site Director. "We believe in the power of education to empower individuals and strengthen communities. This donation is a testament to our commitment to supporting the next generation of maintenance technicians and ensuring they have access to high-quality training."

"We are deeply grateful to Delta Faucet Company for their generous donation," said Steven Cross, SKY FAME Chapter President and Utilities Reliability GT Team Leader at Logan Aluminum. "This investment will help us maintain our program and expand our capacity to train more technicians, which is crucial for the growth of our local industries. "

The collaboration between Delta Faucet Company and SKY FAME exemplifies the public-private partnerships essential to building a more robust and competitive workforce while ensuring the success of maintenance technicians in the manufacturing sector. SKYCTC Provost Dr. James B. McCaslin added that “SKYCTC’s SKY FAME program is consistently recognized nationally for its program outcomes and unparalleled employer support. SKY FAME is the first program in the national FAME USA network to engage in a sustainability campaign of this nature. The SKY FAME chapter is leading the nation by providing a new best practice to address a national shortage for skilled talent.”

To learn more about SKY FAME, contact Franklin-Simpson Center Campus Director Kelcie Richart at [email protected] or Franklin-Simpson Center Success Coach Kaylah Hadden at [email protected].