September 21, 2026 – Prairie Land FAME will host its third annual Community Open House Wednesday, October 7, giving students, families and community members an opportunity to learn about careers in advanced manufacturing.
The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the National Sequestration Education Center on the Richland Community College campus.
The Prairie Land FAME program combines college education with paid, hands-on work experience. Students work with a sponsoring employer three days a week and attend classes at Richland Community College two days a week.
Upon completion of the program, students earn an associate degree, between 60 and 65 college credit hours, and more than 1,800 hours of paid work experience and on-the-job training.
Current employer partners include ADM, Caterpillar, Mueller and Stratas Foods.
The open house is designed for high school juniors and seniors, parents and families, educators, employers, adults considering a career change and others interested in workforce development and advanced manufacturing.
Attendees can learn about career pathways, meet employer partners and learn how the FAME program connects classroom education with the needs of Central Illinois manufacturers.
The Prairie Land FAME chapter was launched in Central Illinois through a partnership involving ADM, Richland Community College and Workforce Investment Solutions in November 2024.
For more information about the October 7 open house, email prairielandfame@gmail.com.
