BASF operator completes Bishop State Community College’s FAME Program and begins career at Alabama site

MCINTOSH, AL, July 23, 2024 – Wesley Pursley recently accepted a full-time position as an operator at BASF’s site in McIntosh, Alabama following his completion of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program at Bishop State Community College, which connects employers and students with earn-and-learn opportunities designed to equip them for a full-time role. Pursley was one of 15 students to graduate from FAME’s inaugural class at Bishop State.

"I’m excited to begin my career with BASF and appreciate the company investing in my development,” said Pursley. “The in-class and hands-on learning opportunities available through FAME provided me with invaluable experience that allowed me to transition from student to full-time employee with ease. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and grow my career at BASF."

FAME is a unique work-based learning program that helps to meet the employment needs and challenges in advanced manufacturing. This need is satisfied by providing participants with paid work experience. Pursley gained experience by working with electrical instruments, centrifugal pumps, gear boxes, compactors, agitators, and other mechanical equipment. Bishop State’s program, “FAME on the Coast,” offers two career pathways: Process Operations Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Technology. 

Both program curriculums are the same for the first two semesters, allowing students time to determine which pathway is best for them. FAME participants attend class twice weekly for 16 or more hours and work at least 24 hours a week in various careers.

“BASF’s participation in the FAME program ensures we will continue to have availability to the best and brightest applicants,” said Marcus Pezent, Site Director of BASF’s McIntosh site. “We are proud of Wesley for being among the first to ever complete this program and setting the example for future BASF team members who follow in his path.”

BASF currently has five students enrolled in FAME at Bishop State.

FAME is supported by The Manufacturing Institute (MI), which is a workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). MI builds, diversifies and strengthens the modern manufacturing workforce, with the goal of furthering individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. BASF is a longtime partner with MI and NAM.

To apply to the FAME program at Bishop State Community College, visit https://fame-usa.com/fame-program-locations/alabama-fame/fame-on-the-coast/.

For more information about BASF in Alabama, visit www.basf.us/alabama.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $20.5 billion in 2023. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.