November 2019 Volume 1

INDUSTRY NEWS & CALENDAR

How the Forging Foundation Supports the Forging Industry By Karen Lewis and JimWarren

The Forging Foundation builds a pipeline of the best and brightest future employees of the forging industry by promoting our industry, awarding scholarships and sharing employment opportunities and encouraging participation in forging research and projects. Established in 1961, the Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting the Forging Industry Association (FIA). Founded as an organization to give the industry and individuals a tax advantaged way to shape the future by developing the bond between the forging industry and academia, the Forging Foundation has been fostering relationships with professors, researchers and students for nearly six decades. (see Sidebar re: Reflections of Charles H. Smith on page 7) Early this year, Foundation Trustees reaffirmed that commitment through strategic planning and the adoption of the mission statement: "The Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation connects the educational community and the industry to develop the future workforce; promote forged products and research; and facilitate technology transfer." To live into that mission, the Foundation is leading the forging industry toward a future where FIA members will have a sustainable and educated workforce; be recognized as the provider of highly valued products fueled by practical applied research; be more competitive by the transfer and deployment of innovative technologies; and be served by an educational and research foundation with the resources to enable the industry to meet its future needs. Sustainable and Educated Workforce: New Focus on Two Year Colleges/Trade Schools Building Your Workforce at Community Colleges events and presentations have introduced FIA Members to local Community Colleges for training and hiring opportunities. Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, OH) and Richard J. Daley (Chicago, IL) have hosted discussions and tours as part of these FIERF sponsored networking events. Community Colleges are an excellent resource for finding skilled employees. The Foundation is looking for additional FIA Members with whom to partner in their local areas to develop collaborative action plans to feed your future workforce pipeline. And while the FIA staff works hard to develop these relationships, we thought we’d offer the following five ‘do these now’ tips for jump starting a relationship with your local community colleges:

1. Meet the President’s Challenge. Join your fellow FIA member presidents and donate $1,500 to the President’s Challenge Scholarship Funds. These dollars will benefit students attending two year community college/trade schools. Staff will direct dollars to schools near FIA members where dollars were collected from (regional approach). Both faculty and FIA members will weigh in on selecting students. Simply send your check made out to the Forging Foundation or contact Jim Warren to express your intention at to donate at jwarren@forging.org. 2. Host a Manufacturing Day Plant Tour. If you are reading this, the 2019 Manufacturing Day (October 4, 2019) has already passed andmore than 700,000 working age youth have attended 3,000+ plant tours across North America (www.mfgday.com). But there’s good news! Manufacturing Day plant tours can take place all year round! Tidy up the plant, improve your lighting so students (and your customers) can see how awesome your plant is and invite them in! Be ready to explain the great, high-paying careers you offer. 3. Allow Your Staff to Teach at a Local Community College orHigh School. Inviting and rewarding your top talent to get involved with local schools is a smart move. By allowing your talent to participate in day and evening manufacturing-focused classes at your local community college or high school provides an opportunity to observe the on-time and high-achieving students directly and invite them to participate in local plant tours. Establishing relationships with schools will provide a pipeline for talent to discover your company and the variety of jobs you offer . 4. Set-up an Internship Program with a Local Community College. Paid internships are an excellent way to evaluate and hire great people for permanent employment. Many are surprised to learn that two year colleges will coordinate an internship with local businesses. Build your bench with the internship system. 5. Sponsor & Assist a FIRST Robotics Team. No other program that we are aware of influences more K-12 students worldwide to pursue careers in engineering and technical manufacturing than the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program. FIRST spans the K-12 ages and is most popular with high-school students who approach FIRST with a varsity sport energy level. Students build robots and compete

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2019 3