OKC FAME: Nurturing talent with Climate Control Group for Oklahoma’s workforce

To help manufacturers in the Greater Oklahoma City region secure the talent needed to grow and maintain a national presence, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber helped launch Oklahoma’s first chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program.

This national program combines academic learning with hands-on training to prepare students for manufacturing careers. OKC FAME partnered with Oklahoma State University - OKC to provide an associate’s degree for the students, while also collaborating with manufacturers that provide part-time employment, including Climate Control Group, IDEX Energy – Advanced Flow Solutions and OMADA International.

"The OKC-FAME program is unique in our market because it is truly an industry-driven talent partnership,” said Lee Copeland, director of talent programs and partnerships at the Chamber. “We're so grateful for the robust engagement of our partner-employers. Their involvement ensures real-time grounding for our students; connecting their technical classroom learning, the FAME curriculum and methodology with real-world application in one synchronized program."

In late June, eight students were honored as the first students in Oklahoma to join OKC FAME, beginning their roles at their respective manufacturing companies in August. After approximately seven weeks of balancing work and school, the students are thriving in the program, mastering fundamental principles and acquiring new techniques while refining skills already present.

OKC FAME student Tai Gott said in his time at Climate Control Group (CCG), he has experienced many adjustments, but his mentors have helped him overcome every challenge and lead him to success.

CCG is a more professional working environment than what Gott was initially used to, expressing he had to work on his communication skills. “It’s having more of a mindful demeanor and manners, and then adapting to that,” Gott said. “You need to communicate effectively on each project.”

Senior HR Director at CCG John Behrend said it is good to see young people, such as Gott, interested in manufacturing, especially when the students are so eager to learn. Behrend appreciates the curiosity of the students, sharing the students are always “asking questions, being curious about things and how they work, and just being willing to do whatever’s needed to work on the team.”

Working for CCG serves as a stress reliever for Gott as he navigates new financial responsibilities. Both work and school are very understanding and acknowledge the importance of both opportunities. “Before, in my life, I felt like I wasn’t set up to be successful, and now, with this opportunity, I can be successful.”

Gott shared he feels comfortable working in the manufacturing industry. “I think it will help me a lot to not have to worry about what’s going to be for dinner every night,” Gott said. “Working in this program and for these companies makes me feel more at ease and less stressed because, they are making it a lot easier for me.”

Gott recommends the OKC FAME program to any student who enjoys problem solving and critical thinking, and there is plenty of room for more students to partake in the program.

“One aspect we’re looking at now is how do we grow this program to get more students because we absolutely have plenty of room for engineering techs and we want to grow them in the field, and even beyond that,” Behrend said. “It’s a really good career path because as an engineering tech, you can try different aspects of engineering. And, as a manufacturer, we have all aspects of engineering, whether it’s design, sustaining, or new product development.”