Led by IACMI – The Composites Institute® with funding from the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.
Goals for the program include positioning the forging and casting industries to remain globally competitive and prepared for technological advancements. It achieves this in part by inspiring and training individuals through apprenticeships and comprehensive learning programs tailored to meet the evolving demands of the casting and forging industries vital to national security and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Together, they aim to connect educational institutions, industry employers, and students, fostering clear career pathways and ensuring a robust supply of skilled metallurgical talent capable of meeting America's defense and industrial needs.
- Through joint initiatives, METAL and FEF bridge the gap between classroom education and industry practice. This collaboration not only amplifies opportunities for young talent interested in metallurgy but also addresses critical skill shortages affecting foundries and related industries.
By uniting METAL’s innovative workforce development approach with FEF's extensive educational networks and expertise, the partnership ensures sustainable growth and innovation, positioning the metallurgy and casting industries to remain globally competitive and prepared for the technological advancements ahead.
FEF Advanced Internship Program
Goals of the Program:
Funding from the METAL partnership will support an internship program to:
- Increase the exposure of students at all levels to metal manufacturing,
- Incentivize companies to recruit interns and,
- Create interest in developing a robust internship program throughout the metal manufacturing industry
Over 24 student interns have received internships in the FEF university labs as part of this project. FEF Interns worked on real-world projects, assisted with student outreach, and gained critical networking opportunities that help shape their careers.
The corporate pilot program titled the “Advanced Internship Program” has 10 pilot companies that will recruit interns for the summer of 2025.
- Companies in the pilot will receive reimbursement for one-half of the full-time cost of one intern.
- FEF also will partner with these same companies to consider hiring a 1st year student as a second reimbursed intern.
- Companies selected will be those looking to expand, revitalize or start an internship program.
- Companies will be a mix of large, mid-size and small companies.
- Companies will be tasked with developing a “hands-on” experience that assures students' exposure to metal manufacturing, real-world activities, and advanced learning experiences.
- Companies must develop an action plan for the internship, assign a mentor, and provide training.
- Companies must offer housing or a housing stipend if the student needs it.
- Companies will submit two one-page reports – one at the mid-point of the internship and one at the end and assist the intern in applying for the FEF Internship Scholarship.
For more information, contact Nick Bacik at nick@fefinc.org.
FEF’s Metalcasting High School Outreach
FEF has prioritized the importance of engaging and inspiring students at the high school level to attract talented young people for careers in metalcasting.
This will be achieved through extensive outreach to high schools throughout the United States to significantly increase the number of students educated about metalcasting and the opportunities available to them as a career. The outreach will directly focus on students in grades 7-12 with two levels or phases of outreach:
Engage: This initial phase will:
- Provide teachers with a 2-week basic metalcasting unit and hands on activities.
- Assist with grants to the high schools for purchase of materials, equipment and supplies so every program can have a working mini foundry in the classroom.
- Connect teachers to key local industry professionals/FEF Alumni to assist with a mini-foundry experience and reinforce the career opportunities message.
- Create opportunity for FEF Key Professors and students to associate with local high schools for recruitment opportunities and program engagement.
Inspire: This follow-up phase of advanced opportunities will allow students to practice and develop a deeper understanding of metal-manufacturing while reinforcing the availability of high-level careers available in metal-manufacturing.
This inspirational phase will use the help of industry professionals and local key professors and consist of hands-on, transformational activities such as:
- Competitions (such as Casting Dreams)
- METAL bootcamps
- FEF Universities Summer Camps
- ASM Camps
- Local Industry Events
- Community College/Trade Career Exploration Events
- On-line courses
This project will ultimately help define a clear career exploration roadmap for teachers, students and parents leading to more young people choosing a career in metalcasting.
FEF is looking to partner with the metalcasting industry and graduate alumni from our programs to assist with the outreach.
If you are interested in becoming involved with our project or for more information, contact Project Director, Michelle Kerns, at michelle@fefinc.org.