TEACHING TO THE JOBS: Guilford Technical Community College works with employers to best prepare students for the workforce.

The N.C. Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education [FAME] program announced a partnership in January with Guilford Technical Community College to provide two-year, debt-free associate degrees in STEM fields connected with manufacturing.

The FAME First in Flight chapter partners with Jowat Adhesives in Archdale, MasterBrand Cabinets in Lexington, Toyota Battery Manufacturing in Liberty and Ziehl-Abegg, a German manufacturer of ventilation fans and drive technology for motors. FAME was founded by Toyota and has 37 chapters in 14 states.

"It is an entity separate from Toyota, and they're very clear about that," says Dr. Anthony Clarke, president of Guilford Technical Community College. "This is the f rst North Carolina chapter, so we're honored to be the first partner. It's an apprenticeship-type program in which students can earn a two-year degree in advanced manufacturing technology. You work for the company while you're going through the program, then once you have your two-year degree you get hired by them and have a great career with all kinds of opportunities. They call it 'world-class manufacturing,' so they want to do best-in-the-world type training."

GTCC is fourth-largest of North Carolina's 58 community colleges and has more than 27,000 students. About 12,000 are in degree-pursuing programs, while the remainder is in workforce development. Clarke says the programs with most enrollment are those under associate in arts categories. Aviation, healthcare and public safety are also extremely popular.

"There are so many different careers. You can train to go get a job, and maybe in the...