NW-SCC Youth Success Pre-Apprenticeship Program propels student forward into advanced manufacturing caree

MUSCLE SHOALS – Current Northwest-Shoals Community College student, Jayden Phillips, has taken his experience with the Youth Success Pre-Apprenticeship Program and used it to propel him into a job with Constellium and a spot in the NW-SCC Alabama FAME program.

According to NW-SCC Youth Success Program (YSP) Coordinator, Ken Loveless, Phillips was the first YSP participant to receive his full Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician Certification. “Jayden is truly one of our YSP success stories,” said Loveless. “He has taken the support system that we offer our students and taken full advantage of the opportunities it has helped open for him.”

Phillips, a resident of Florence, said the support that the Youth Success Pre-Apprenticeship Program offered him was one of the aspects of the program that he enjoyed the most. “I would recommend the Pre-Apprenticeship Program to anyone who needs tutoring or assistance in developing the essential skills for their desired occupation,” stated Phillips. “Ms. (Elizabeth) Harris has helped me find scholarships, and she also pushed me to continue when I was struggling with school. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Phillips is now a part of the second class of the Alabama FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) Program at NW-SCC and is being sponsored by Constellium. The FAME AMT (Advanced Manufacturing Technician) program at Northwest-Shoals is an advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program that combines on-campus classes with on-the-job training through a sponsoring business.

The Youth Success Program (YSP) at NW-SCC serves out-of-school youth ranging in age from 16-24. YSP identifies and assists those who have been unable to complete their education and need guidance and assistance deciding between continuing their education and seeking additional training toward employment.

The YSP Pre-Apprenticeship serves in school and out-of-school youth with barriers to educational completion. The Program focuses on juniors and seniors who are interested in completing industry recognized certifications, being placed in an apprenticeship program, and ultimately working in advanced manufacturing.

The Youth Success Program and Pre-Apprenticeship programs serve youth in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, and Winston Counties. For more information on the NW-SCC Youth Success Program, call 256.331.5262.