NKY Offers Exciting Careers in Advanced Manufacturing
October is National Manufacturing Month, and it’s a great opportunity to highlight the importance of Advanced Manufacturing to our state and local economy.
Did you know:
Manufacturing is responsible for $41.8 billion to Kentucky’s economy, which is 16.1% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?
More than 250,000 people work at Kentucky’s 4,000 manufacturers?
About 38,000 people in Kentucky’s Fourth Congressional District work at 593 manufacturing companies?
The average annual wage of manufacturing employees in Kentucky is $84,433, compared to $67,629 average for non-farm workers?
(Source: National association of Manufacturers, Kentuchttps://nam.org/manufacturing-in-the-united-states/regions/kentucky/ky - NAM)
With the strength of this segment of our economy, it’s concerning that interest in advanced manufacturing careers lags behind other industries amongst high school students about to enter the job market. Our recent YouScience regional report showed that 14% of 2025 high school graduates have an aptitude for these careers but only 7% have an interest (Career Readiness — NKY Works). Perhaps students still envision the “dirty,” labor-intensive jobs of the past, but modern manufacturing jobs are heavily rooted in technology and rely on STEM-related skills! One way Northern Kentucky is focused on increasing student awareness of and interest in manufacturing careers is through the coaching, shadowing and summer camps offered through the NaviGo program.
Photo: Woman working in technology-based manufacturing environment
Locally, our manufacturing jobs are primarily in the automotive, aviation & aerospace, food & flavoring, materials & packaging, and medical device manufacturing sectors. Learn more about advanced manufacturing in Northern Kentucky at this link from the BE NKY Growth Partnership: Advanced Manufacturing – BE NKY
Post-secondary students in Northern Kentucky have an outstanding opportunity to train for manufacturing jobs while working in the field through the NKY FAME Program. The Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME) is a partnership of regional manufacturers whose purpose is to implement career pathway, apprenticeship-style educational programs that will create a pipeline of highly skilled workers. Locally, FAME partners with Gateway Community and Technical College. Students attend classes full-time at Gateway two days a week and work at their sponsoring manufacturer three days per week, providing a balanced and immersive educational experience.
“The NKY FAME program at Gateway Community and Technical College is a transformative opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and advanced technical skills while earning their degree,” Gateway Director of Career and Experiential Learning Caitlin Fugate said. “This program not only prepares students for high-demand careers in manufacturing but also fosters a strong work ethic and professional growth through its unique blend of classroom learning and real-world application.”
The admission criteria and application process are described at this site. (Be sure to listen to the two student testimonials at that site to hear how FAME has impacted their lives.) Although there is no specific application deadline, interested students are encouraged to apply early as program interviews begin in February. Gateway will hold a FAME open house for parents and students in February where they can tour the program and talk with the NKY FAME employers.