Delivering Results: FAME USA’s 2025 Year in Review
2025 was a landmark year for FAME USA—one defined by growth, innovation and a renewed commitment to delivering the global best model of manufacturing skills training.
FAME, the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, is designed to develop highly skilled, professional talent to meet the unique needs and challenges of modern manufacturing. This employer-led program operates through more than 40 chapters across 17 states with nearly 500 companies using a FAME training program. Created by Toyota, FAME is now organized and supported by the FAME USA team at the Manufacturing Institute.
Read on to take a look back at this year’s successes!
Maintaining high standards: FAME USA launched Quality Assurance, a comprehensive review process that evaluates each chapter’s alignment with national standards. By holding every chapter to the same rigorous, industry-aligned standards, FAME USA ensures consistent high performance, strengthening the manufacturing talent pipeline nationwide.
- Following rollout in May, five chapters were reviewed in 2025
- Rocket City FAME in Huntsville, AL was the first chapter to be accredited and earned recognition as a Top Performing Chapter (Read more )
Nationwide expansion: The FAME network continued to grow, reaching new states and regions in response to growing demand nationwide.
The following five chapters began their journey with students in fall 2025:
- AL FAME – Built by Baldwin
- AL FAME – Huntsville Tech
- AL FAME – Magic City
- CA FAME – Central Valley (New state, first chapter west of the Rockies)
- IL FAME – Prairie Land
The following three chapters enrolled in FAME academy and will welcome students in 2026:
- KS FAME – Top City
- TX FAME – Navarro
- IA FAME – Riverbend (New state)
Continuing prosperity: Existing FAME chapters continued to connect students across the nation with careers in advanced manufacturing.
- 2,700 students graduated
- 1,300 students enrolled
- Dozens of new manufacturers joining the network
FAME on Capitol Hill: In November, the MI’s Chief Program Officer Gardner Carrick testified before the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor and Pensions to recommend improvements to the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship program. In his opening remarks, he said that for manufacturing apprenticeships to be high-quality, rigorous, responsive and scalable, they must be employer-led like FAME. Read more about the hearing.
Connecting the network: The fourth annual FAME National Conference (FNC) convened in Charlotte, NC with the largest crowd to date.
- 250+ people attended
- Attendance has doubled in just four years!
We are deeply grateful to our new and returning sponsors whose partnership fuels the success of the FAME National Conference. Their support strengthens our ability to convene employers, educators, and workforce leaders from across the country to further the mission of building a highly skilled manufacturing talent pipeline.
For those exploring FAME, there simply is not a better event to attend! Special sessions will be offered at the Conference to help orient and arm stakeholders to create local chapters—be sure to register today!
Growing team of experts: We welcomed Tarina VanNatta as Associate Director on the MI’s FAME USA team. With nearly 20 years of experience in manufacturing and five years of experience in industrial automation education, Tarina brings expertise uniquely positioned to strengthen FAME’s impact nationwide.
This year’s growth and achievements were possible thanks to our partners; Coca-Cola Foundation, Smurfit Westrock, Autodesk Foundation, Aviv Foundation, Charles Shor Foundation, Charles Schwab Foundation, Arconic Foundation and ECMC Foundation.
Their investments strengthen FAME USA to further empower students, educators and manufacturers across the country to build a more resilient and dynamic workforce. We are deeply grateful for their partnership, leadership and belief in FAME’s mission, and we thank them for their continued support of the FAME USA network!
This work matters: FAME develops highly skilled, professional and sought-after talent to meet the unique needs and challenges of modern manufacturing. Every new chapter, graduate and employer partner strengthens a talent pipeline that fuels local economies, supports communities and keeps American manufacturing competitive. Investing in our people is essential to securing the future of our industry.