February 24, 2026 – What was to be an informative gathering of students, families and educators to learn about the Prairie Land FAME program turned into a truly special evening that saw record attendance and a commitment to community.
The Prairie Land FAME program, in partnership with ADM, Workforce Investment Solutions and Richland Community College, hosted a Family Recruitment Night event for central Illinois high school students on Feb. 10 to gain background on the next cohort of the program which is set to begin in August 2026.
Held at Richland Community College’s National Sequestration Education Center, the event offered an inside look at how the program blends classroom instruction with hands-on, paid work experience. Prairie Land FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students are not only job-ready but also equipped to drive innovation within the manufacturing sector.
Throughout the evening, attendees learned how the program combines college coursework with real-world manufacturing experience with companies such as ADM, Caterpillar, GSI, Mueller’s and Stratas Foods. Participants rotate between the classroom and the production floor, gaining practical skills in areas such as industrial maintenance, troubleshooting, automation, safety, and process optimization.
“Graduates leave the program not only with an associate degree, but also with the technical expertise, professional habits, and leadership skills needed to thrive in modern manufacturing environments,” said Lisa Kitchens, workforce development manager, ADM Operations. “At ADM, we believe in the concept of shared creation, and we are absolutely thrilled to be among the partnering organizations to help this chapter of the Prairie Land FAME program continue to grow and thrive.”
Students had the opportunity to hear directly from current FAME participants of the first cohort who shared personal stories about their growth in confidence, problem-solving ability, and teamwork. Families were encouraged to ask questions about career progression, long-term earning potential, and the variety of roles available within partnering organizations.
“We’re proud of our FAME students from the first cohort, who shared their stories and inspired others to learn more about the program,” said Kitchens. “Seeing our community come together to support future careers and opportunities is what this night is all about.”
Deemed an “earn and learn training program,” Prairie Land FAME offers a chance for high school students to achieve an associate degree, more specifically an Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology from Richland Community College, and at the same time, work three days a week, earning $18.00 or more an hour.
Students will earn more than 1,800 hours of on-the-job experience working in an apprenticeship-style training setting. Nearly 90 percent of graduates in the Prairie Land FAME program across North America have secured full-time roles with their sponsoring employer upon graduation. Graduates can also go on to pursue engineering or engineering technology bachelor’s degrees at the school of their choice.
The event reinforced companies’ commitment to developing future manufacturing leaders while underscoring the importance of support systems in student success.
“We are offering an opportunity for students to not only evolve with the manufacturing landscape but align on industry demands,” said Kitchens.
