This is a press release from Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL).
The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce a new partnership with Georgia Southern University to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals.
Funded by the Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.
Georgia Southern’s Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) program will implement METAL’s nationally recognized curriculum in its program, beginning with a combination of online training and immersive in-person bootcamps held at a manufacturing lab, equipped for metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities.
In addition to adult training, these programs will lead outreach efforts for K–12 students by offering workshops and partnering with high schools and other local and regional schools to spark early interest in metallurgical careers.
“The hands-on training students and job seekers will experience through METAL’s partnership with Georgia Southern will teach them industry-ready skills they can apply immediately,” said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. “These are high-demand, high-impact careers and exposing students to modern metalworking helps build a pipeline of talent ready to support American manufacturing and innovation.”
Upon completing online and in-person bootcamp training, participants may enter a stacked curriculum offering a menu of specialized training opportunities within METAL, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience, including an enhanced focus on automation in the casting and forging industry.
“We are excited to partner with METAL to provide hands-on and computational learning experiences using our exceptional manufacturing facilities,” said Mingzhi Xu, Ph.D., FEF Key Professor at Georgia Southern. “By opening our foundry and laboratories to the broader community, we are proud to support METAL’s mission and help prepare the public for high-impact careers in modern metal manufacturing.”
Georgia Southern University’s partnership with METAL includes:
- Online training, progressing to hands-on, in-person bootcamps conducted within a manufacturing lab, equipped with metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities
- Execute a minimum of 12 in-person bootcamps for at least 150 participants throughout the course of its tenure
- Host at least six open foundry nights for a minimum of 200 K-12 students
- Foster collaborations with local high schools and community colleges. This strategic partnership will focus on integrating METAL training into their educational curriculum, enriching opportunities for students interested in metalworking and manufacturing.
- Participate in a comprehensive Train the Trainer initiative, which aims to equip future METAL program partner schools and training centers with the knowledge and capability to host bootcamps
- Establish academic credit for secondary and post-secondary students and non-credit pathways including courses that can be applied to micro credentials, industry certifications, apprenticeships and degree tracks. The effort ensures alignment with industry standards while providing students with recognized certifications and future educational opportunities in metallurgy.
Georgia Southern’s addition to the METAL network strengthens a growing national network of METAL hubs, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, Michigan Technological University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, NC State and Purdue University. Together, these institutions are revitalizing American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable and sustainable workforce development programs.
