Baldwin County's technical work-based learning initiative, FAME Built by Baldwin, has received a financial boost.

In partnership with Coastal Alabama Community College, the program was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Alabama Community College System's (ACCS) Industry Certification Initiative to support the purchase of new equipment for its state-of-the-art learning lab at Fairhope Airport Academy, according to a news release.

"ALABAMA FAME Built by Baldwin is thrilled to receive this grant funding," Jennifer Crawford, president of the FAME Built by Baldwin chapter and vice president of human resources of Vulcan Inc., said in the release. "This investment will allow for the necessary equipment purchases needed to launch the Advanced Maintenance Technician program, making a meaningful impact for our Baldwin County manufacturing and industry partners. This support not only validates our efforts but also fuels our commitment to the growth and stability of manufacturing and industry here in Baldwin County."

FAME Built by Baldwin is an initiative made up of regional industry partners aimed at developing local talent for high-demand technical careers. The grant will go toward the acquisition of advanced training equipment, including robotics trainers, programmable logic controllers, motor controls and alternating and direct current drive systems, essential for the program's Advanced Maintenance Technician curriculum.

"We know that FAME is a world class program," said Josh Duplantis, dean of workforce at Coastal Alabama Community College. "For Coastal, we want to assure that the lab environment for students matches the FAME Built by Baldwin brand. We are thankful for ACCS giving us the opportunities to apply for these funds to support programs that help us grow local talent with our local industries."

FAME Built by Baldwin is recruiting its first cohort of students, with the inaugural class set to begin in the spring of 2025. The program aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing hands-on, work-based learning opportunities in advanced manufacturing, ensuring Baldwin County's future workforce is well-prepared for the growing demands of the sector.

Students interested in applying can visit www.builtbybaldwinfame.com.