November 2022 Volume 4

INDUSTRY NEWS

FIERF Professors Summit Brings Together Educators and Industry

Magnet School Professors and FIA Member representatives joined for FIERF's Professor Summit on August 17, 2022, at Cuyahoga Community College. The attendees were able to connect and talk about education, workforce development and the state of the forging industry. The program included informational presentations, a panel session, and networking lunch. Discussions revolved around how to prepare the next generation of forgers and opportunities for industry and educators to truly work together so they can both achieve their goals. The 14 summit participants included representatives from Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Cuyahoga Community College, Marquette University, University of Michigan, Scientific Forming Technologies Corp., Colorado School of Mines, American Axle Manufacturing Inc., Oakland University, Queen City Forging Co., Fives North American Combustion, Inc., SIFCO Cleveland Division, Universal Stainless, and Lehigh University. A presentation from the Forging Foundation (FIERF) Board of Trustees Chair and Associate Professor from the Colorado School of Mines, Kester Clarke, provided information on the foundations current initiatives and how the Forging Foundation (FIERF) is connecting students with industry via scholarship programs and technical grants. In 2022, FIERF awarded $293, 700 in funding for nine approved technical grants. The foundation also awarded a total of 19 scholarships to students (eight Charles W. Finkl Scholarships; four Forging IndustryWomen’s Scholarships; and seven Al Underys Engineering, Metallurgical and Material Sciences Scholarships.)

The Foundation Executive Director, Angela Gibian, also announced two new initiatives to attract the younger generations. The foundation will address the goal of engaging a younger generation by hosting K-12 student “Forge the Future” camps. In addition, they have launched a new “FIERF Forging Competition” which is a hands-on opportunity for college students to learn more about forging. Teams of up to four students and one faculty advisor will compete for the chance to win recognition and prizes at Forge Fair 2023, North America’s Largest Forging Industry Tradeshow. This year’s project is a pair of tuning forks.

Forging Industry Association (FIA) President and CEO, Jim Warren, shared an overview of the state of the association, its membership and training initiatives. He provided information on Forging University (eLearning) webinars and in-person workshops designed to help train students and upskill current forging industry employees. FIA Members, students and educators all have access to the association’s Forging University learning system at no charge. Recent funding provided by the Department Logistics Agency (DLA) has also provided the association with the ability to provide eLearning and training to members of the government and military at no charge.

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2022 70