November 2025 Volume 7

FOUNDATION NEWS

focused on using additive manufacturing for low volume forging parts. The other focuses on using directed energy deposition (DED) for repairing forging tooling. Both projects are scheduled to conclude next year. As with other partners, these efforts has the benefit of highlighting and elevating the profile of the forging industry within advanced manufacturing communities. NCATC – Sharing Knowledge Across Advanced Technology Centers The National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) represents more than 150 community colleges and universities across the U.S. that focus on technical training. FIERF’s Executive Director, Amanda Dureiko, is actively engaged with NCATC and participated in its 2025 conference. This involvement ensures that forging education is represented within the larger network of advanced technology centers. By aligning with NCATC, FIERF helps integrate forging content into community college curricula, connects students to forging career pathways, and reinforces the importance of industry academic partnerships. Jobs for the Future – Expanding Workforce Pathways Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit focused on workforce transformation. While still an emerging partnership, FIA and FIERF are working with JFF to identify forging apprenticeship opportunities to link forging companies with new pools of talent, reskilling programs, and education policy initiatives. In particular, JFF’s emphasis on equity and access complements FIERF’s mission to broaden the pipeline into forging careers— ensuring that students of all backgrounds can see forging as a viable, rewarding path. Talent Pipeline Program (TPP) – Building the Defense Workforce The Talent Pipeline Program (TPP) is designed to strengthen the maritime and defense industrial base by helping employers recruit, hire, train, and retain workers with critical trade skills. The program supports companies in re-capitalizing their workforce, ensuring that new employees are equipped to become productive, engaged team members within their first year on the job. FIERF has actively highlighted TPP’s work to the forging community. Representatives have spoken at FIA’s Workforce Development Committee and exhibited and presented at both Forge Fair 2023 and 2025. FIERF has also shared TPP materials directly with FIA members, connecting several forging producers and suppliers who are already working with the program to strengthen their own talent pipelines. NAM – Advocating with the National Association of Manufacturers On the policy side, FIA is a proud member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the largest manufacturing association in the United States. Through NAM, FIA has a stronger voice in Washington, D.C., advocating on issues such as trade policy, tariffs, workforce

development, and infrastructure investment. Membership in NAM ensures that the forging industry is not siloed but represented as part of the broader U.S. manufacturing base. AFS and the Metalworking Merit Badge – Inspiring

the Next Generation Partnerships extend beyond

industry and policy into community engagement as well. The American Foundry Society (AFS) collaborates with FIA and FIERF to support the Boy Scouts of America Metalworking Merit Badge. Since 2008, more than 366 scouts have earned the badge through camps hosted at institutions like Kent State University’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering. At these camps, students get hands-on experience with casting, forging, and related processes. FIA Deputy Chief Executive Angela Gibian has volunteered at the camp,

underscoring the association’s commitment to inspiring future metallurgists and engineers. By engaging youth early, FIA and FIERF help spark curiosity about manufacturing careers. NFFS and the ICON Database – Data Collaboration The Non-Ferrous Founders Society (NFFS) has worked with the Forging Industry Association on data initiatives, particularly the development of the ICON database. ICON is a database for DoD procurement that will now include forgings, castings, and machining. NFFS has awarded FIA a subcontract to build out the forging producers and capabilities. The goal of this project is visibility of FIA member capabilities and tooling to military procurement personnel, primarily the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). This will ensure companies are being passively contacted and sent solicitations that are relevant to their business and expedite the speed at which our military components are procured. [See page 48]

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