How the Packaging Industry Can Build the Manufacturing Workforce of Tomorrow

To celebrate his birthday, Steffen Mitchell bought himself a house, a significant accomplishment for a young adult still in his 20’s and living in North Alabama. Now more than a year later, he uses his handy technical skills to work on his home in his spare time when he’s not reading or watching horror movies.

While others his age might still be trying to find themselves and their careers, Mitchell was fortunate enough to come across FAME, originally created by Toyota and now run by the nonprofit Manufacturing Institute. That set him on a career path in manufacturing, which he’s living out at WestRock’s Athens, Alabama Plant.

“I do believe the FAME program set me up for a successful career because not only did I get the skills, but I also have the advanced manufacturing degree. And that’s applicable no matter where I go.”

So, what’s FAME?

The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, or FAME, is the premier skills training model for the manufacturing industry. It’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program trains workers to be maintenance technicians with a hands-on approach. The program allows students to work for a manufacturer and gain experience while attending classes at the same time, preparing them for a career within that company.

FAME’s ideal applicants are much like Mitchell—high school grads who like to work with their hands, are looking to build a career (or pivot to a new career) and appreciate the mix of classroom learning and a paid apprenticeship. Students apply what they’re learning daily as they shadow technicians who show them the ins and outs of the specific machinery they’ll be working on once they finish the program.

“He learned electrical safety, mechanical safety, and all that at school. Then, we looked at the curriculum that they had and tied it to the work that he was doing at WestRock, so they complemented each other. It was a partnership between the school and us,” said Eric Elitzer, the maintenance manager of the Athens plant and Mitchell’s supervisor during his apprenticeship.

Connecting with WestRock

In high school, Mitchell attended a tech school where he learned to be a welder. After a year of working as one post-graduation, he was looking for a new challenge and a place where he could continue to learn and grow. The minute he learned about FAME he decided to go through the application process.

““In the interview, it was just me in front of a room of people, all representatives from different companies. So, it was one interview, but for about 15 companies. And then, you just wait a couple of days, and they call you if they’re interested in you,” said Mitchell.

WestRock, one of the Manufacturing Institute’s (MI) many industry sponsors, saw potential in Mitchell and selected him for the program. MI has sponsors from all areas of manufacturing, including companies like Caterpillar, Niagara Water, Berry Global and Toyota.

Beginning his work at the Athens plant in 2019, Steffen is now an industrial controls technician there and well on his way to a bright future in manufacturing.

“I never would've guessed I would've gotten to this point. I worked hard at it, and I am proud, and I'm excited about the new equipment we're going to be getting. I'm excited to work on that, and we'll see what the future holds.” 

More manufacturing workforce building blocks

Supporting FAME through the MI is just one way WestRock is contributing to building the manufacturing workforce. MI hosts more programs where WestRock is engaging, including Women MAKE America and Heroes MAKE America, two programs also helping to build diversity and inclusion at WestRock.  

“We started our women's initiative at the MI back in 2012 after some research in which women were telling us why they didn't come to or stay in manufacturing, and a major reason was that they didn't have the network. There's also an outdated perception that manufacturing is manual labor that is dirty, dark, dangerous and that it's not open to people with all different experiences and backgrounds,” said Carolyn Lee, MI’s president and executive director.

Through the program, MI stands up female role models and mentors who encourage and support other women in the industry, and they also help women connect so they can build a network of support. The goals are to show women they have a place in manufacturing and provide the support they need to be successful in the industry. 

Transitioning lives and transferring skills

Heroes MAKE America also provides support and opportunities to its network of military veterans, building a connection between the military community and the manufacturing industry. Through the Heroes program, the MI focuses on guiding veterans in their transition from active-duty military to civilian life through SkillBridge training that introduces them to manufacturing careers and provides the knowledge and technical certifications they need to secure a new career in the industry.

“Heroes MAKE America is that integral linchpin between taking a soldier who has known their adult life as being a soldier and introducing them back into the civilian world, giving them skills and knowledge of a world that we don't even realize exists. It became this new world, new interest, new adventure. I loved it,” said James Goppert, a WestRock human resources business partner and former Army Seargent.

While Goppert initially went through the program to learn about starting a manufacturing career, when WestRock connected with him through Heroes and learned about his HR background in the Army, it became clear his direct skills would be more of an asset to the company.

“Although I am not applying them directly right now, the classes I took were extremely beneficial, because as an HR manager, my customers are internal. So, I need to know what they do, how they work, what troubles they're facing. Whenever they're having serious issues, now I understand what they're talking about.”

The benefits of a stronger workforce

In addition to the benefits gained by those transitioning or in the early career phase, manufacturing companies are finding it easier to recruit talent and skilled workers thanks to the MI’s programs. As WestRock ramps up its involvement, bringing in more veterans and FAME apprentices, its leaders hope that’s not the only benefit they’ll see.

“The reason I would recommend FAME and Heroes MAKE America is they allow us to step inside a talent pool that we may never have dipped into before and step out of our comfort zone. It’s going to allow us to find individuals who are goal-oriented, and getting workers from outside the industry really diversifies our work,” said Charles Little, the general manager of WestRock’s corrugated box plant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The Winston-Salem plant is readying itself for its first FAME apprentice to start in mid-2024, and WestRock’s Richmond, Virginia and Liberty, Missouri plants are recruiting apprentices who’ll start in late 2024. Little thinks the programs allow students to get to know WestRock and for WestRock to better get to know them so both sides can make sure they’re a good fit for each other, which he feels will impact retention and success within the company. That’s something Elitzer can affirm.

“Steffan’s done so well that if they're ever shorthanded out there, they ask him to operate the equipment. He's one of the best operators out there, and we have him on our maintenance staff. That's pretty awesome.”