August 2026 Volume 8

FOUNDATION NEWS

facility tours, team-building activities, hands-on learning and opportunities to learn how to forge. Campers also get to take home their own forging. The goals of Forge the Future Camp are direct and deeply aligned with the needs of the industry: expose students to manufacturing and forging at a young age; engage them in hands-on STEM activities; create memorable community experiences; educate both kids and families about manufacturing careers; and help build the future of forging. These camps also provide an excellent model for local partnerships. Schools, colleges and universities, industry partners, and workforce or community organizations can all play a role in introducing students to forging. FIERF has also made grant funding available to help organizations host two-to-five-day Forge the Future Summer Camps focused on middle and high school students. Grant funding is available up to $2,500, depending on the length and scope of the camp. For member companies, this creates a meaningful opportunity to get involved locally. Companies can participate in a camp, host a tour, sponsor an activity, provide speakers, mentor students or help connect educators with real-world examples from the forging industry. Even a small role can make a big impression on a young person who has never seen manufacturing up close. Why This Work Matters The forging industry has a

But students cannot pursue careers they do not know exist. That is why early outreach is so important. It helps shift perceptions. It gives students a more accurate understanding of modern manufacturing. It shows families that technical and manufacturing careers can be rewarding, stable and meaningful. It helps educators connect classroom learning to real careers in their own communities. For FIA members, engaging with the next generation is not only a service to the industry; it is a strategic workforce investment. Every plant tour, classroom visit, donated book, sponsored camp or hands-on activity helps build awareness. Over time, those moments can help create a stronger talent pipeline for the entire forging supply chain. FIERF is making that work easier by providing resources members can use, share and adapt. Whether your company is just beginning its workforce development outreach or looking to expand existing partnerships, FIERF can help connect your team with tools, programs and ideas that make an impact. Get Involved Companies are encouraged to explore FIERF’s youth education resources and consider how they can be used in their own communities. Share the “Forging with Freddy” books with a local school or library. Use the free activities at a Manufacturing Day (October 2) or Forging Day (October 9) event. Support or sponsor a Forge the Future Summer Camp. Host students for a tour. Bring forging into the conversation earlier — before students make decisions about their future. To learn more about how FIERF can support your company’s workforce development efforts, contact Amanda Dureiko, FIERF Executive Director at amanda@forging.org or call 216-781 6260. FIERF can help members identify resources, connect with education partners and explore opportunities to introduce more students to the forging industry.

powerful story to tell. Forgers produce high-strength, reliable components for critical applications. The industry supports national defense, transportation, aerospace, energy, agriculture, infrastructure and countless other sectors. It offers family-sustaining careers, technical advancement and opportunities for people who like to solve problems, work with their hands, use technology and make things that matter.

2026 Forge the Future Summer Camps FIERF’s 2026 Forge the Future Summer Camps are designed to introduce middle and high school students to forging, manufacturing and STEAM pathways through hands-on learning, facility tours and career exploration. 2026 Camp Locations:

• La Jolla Country Day School, California • Blackhawk Technical College, Wisconsin • Alfred University, New York • University of North Texas, Texas • Cuyahoga Community College, Ohio • Decatur High School, Illinois

Organizations interested in hosting a future Forge the Future Summer Camp may be eligible for FIERF grant funding of up to $2,500. Eligible applicants include middle and high schools, colleges and universities, industry partners, and workforce or community organizations. Contact Amanda Dureiko, FIERF Executive Director at amanda@forging.org for more information.

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