February 2025 Volume 7

FOUNDATION NEWS

Let’s Thrive in 2025! With a new year, comes new and improved opportunities! Here is what is going on with the Forging Foundation (FIERF) in 2025 and ways you can help support its workforce initiatives. FORGING FOUNDATION (FIERF) INITIATIVES FOR THE NEW YEAR

Scholarships The Forging Foundation awards scholarships each year to students interested in careers in the forging supply chain. First consid eration is given to applicants with a connection to the forging industry. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open and are due April 14, 2025. Recipients will be announced in June. How can you help? Share scholarship opportunities with your networks. Annual Silent Auction The Forging Foundation is hosting its Fifth Annual Silent Auction at this year’s Annual Meeting of Members in Marco Island, Florida. Proceeds from the silent auction will go directly to the Forging Foundation and help to fund, build, and advance our future workforce by promoting our industry. Proceeds will also aid in awarding scholarships, engaging students through curriculum, and experiential learning to encourage them to pursue careers in the forging industry. How can you help? Donate an item or service to the auction. Forging Competition There are 15 teams in this year’s Forging Competition! This year, teams have the opportunity to choose the type of blacksmithing hammer they would like to forge. Hammers cannot exceed 3.5lbs. and are to be made of 1045 carbon steel. Each hammer will be put through a series of tests appropriate to the application. All submissions should include your hammer, a project video and technical report documenting the

Career Center Did you know that as a member of the Forging Industry Associa tion you have access to post jobs for free on FIA’s Career Center? Make use of the employer account features to quickly post your latest job openings, search through viable employee resumes, and manage your applications to select the ideal candidate. How can you help? Share this free resource with your Human Resources Department. Forging Club Grants

The FIERF Board of Trustees has announced that the founda tion will award eight new Forging Club Grants. This initiative started in 2024 when the Forging Foundation awarded four grants to schools to start or continue a forging club. In addition, the four grants that the foundation awarded, three more grants were awarded through FIA Member sponsorship. Grants are awarded to schools to help start or continue forging clubs, allowing students the opportunity to learn more about forging and gain hands-on experience in the trade. How can you help? Partner with a club in need of an industry partner.

design and manufacturing process. The 2025 Forging Competition will be held at Forge Fair on May 15th. How can you help? Partner with a school in need of an industry partner.

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