3,000 manufacturing jobs went unfilled last year in the Greater Louisville Area due to a skilled labor gap. That number matches a trend across the state and country.

Employers in Kentucky are in so much need of skilled employees they are actually paying students to get that kind of education. The Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education is a two-year program where students work and learn at the same time.

Soon-to-be graduate Trevor Horn spends two full days a week at Jefferson Community and Technical College and the other three days at his employer’s facility, Clairiant. He said participation in this program is easing the transition from school to work.

“Starting Friday I’ll be full time at the company I plan to work at for a long time,” Horn said.

Clairiant Communications and Training Manager Cindy Hooper said her company has been involved in the Kentucky FAME program since its formation in 2014. Back then, only five companies partnered with FAME in the Louisville area. She said it was a way to find the company’s future leaders.

“They are there for two years, learning our processes, learning our equipment and they are ready to go to work right away instead of losing that time for training,” Hooper said.

Now, there are over 125 employer sponsors, 10 partner colleges and a 98 percent rate of employed graduates throughout Kentucky.

JCTC Kentucky FAME Director Gerald Sexton said students often graduate after two years with full-time jobs that pay around $60,000 a year.

“Students can get a two year college degree with no debt because they are actually paid while they are here at school,” Sexton said.

With high school graduation around the corner, Sexton said he works with area schools to let students know there is another pass to success without getting a four-year degree.

“There are plenty more options out there with plenty more jobs and job advancements than what you’ve been fed throughout your entire life that you have to go to a four-year university and you have to have a degree to succeed. This program makes it to where you don’t have to spend four years and $50,000 in debt just to get there,” Horn said.

Kentucky is one of twelve states with an AMT program.