Casting the Future: Ianto Woolridge’s Journey into Metalcasting with FEF

Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) partners with the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) to help build the next generation of talent in U.S. manufacturing.

Established in 1947, FEF is the liaison between students, educators and industry leaders, ensuring young engineering talent enters the metalcasting industry. Today, it continues that mission by supporting scholarships, engineering programs and internships that shape the next generation of professionals in the field.

As part of this partnership, FEF has placed 24 interns from 10 universities in its first program phase and secured multiple industry partners to develop 10 more internships.

FEF Interns work on real-world projects, assist with student outreach and gain critical networking opportunities that help shape their careers.

Meet Ianto Woolridge

Through our collaboration with FEF, METAL supports students like Ianto Woolridge, a freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in Materials Science and Engineering.

As part of FEF’s internship placement program, FEF placed Ianto at Virginia Tech as a foundry intern specializing in investment casting using 3D-printed expendable molds. His regular duties include setting up gating, creating molds around cast patterns and sintering molds under the direction of Virginia Tech foundry director Dr. Alan P. Druschitz.

Woolridge joined FEF in the Fall of 2024 and has since gained valuable insights and direction for his future career. Here’s what he said about how his FEF program experience has shaped his academic and professional goals.

Q: Tell us about your experience in metalcasting since joining the FEF program.

A: The FEF internship was my first real exposure to metalcasting and it’s been such a valuable experience. I joined the program in the fall of my freshman year. At that time, I had no idea what to expect. I knew I was interested in materials science, but I hadn’t explored the practical side of how those materials are used in manufacturing. Getting into the foundry for the first time was eye-opening. I saw firsthand how raw materials are transformed into usable products and that hands-on experience helped me understand the purpose behind what I’m learning in class. It was a huge shift from theory to practice and sparked a genuine interest in metalcasting.

Q: What essential skills have you learned from your time in the university foundry lab?

A: One of the biggest things I’ve developed is my problem-solving ability, especially under real-world conditions. In the foundry, things don’t always go according to plan. Whether it’s issues with temperature control, molds, or unexpected results in the casting process, I learned how to stay calm and work through challenges methodically. I also developed better communication skills. I leaned heavily on seniors in the foundry who had more experience and they were incredibly supportive. Collaborating with them taught me to ask the right questions, learn from feedback and troubleshoot effectively. I know I’ll take these skills with me into any engineering or professional setting.

Q: How do you see your metalcasting experiences influencing your career path?

A: When I first came to Virginia Tech, my plan was straightforward: get a degree, go to graduate school, earn a PhD and work in a research lab. But the FEF experience shifted my perspective. Working in the foundry made me realize that I prefer hands-on, outdoor work where I can physically interact with materials and processes. I enjoy the energy of the foundry, the teamwork and the tangible outcomes. While I still value academic research, I now see myself pursuing a more applied role in the industry—something that blends engineering with real-time problem-solving and production.

Examples of Ianto Woolridge’s work as part of the Virgina Tech FEF Program

Q: In what ways has FEF supported your academic and industry experiences?

A: FEF has made a significant impact on both my education and my confidence as a student. Because I had early exposure to real casting and manufacturing techniques, I’ve felt more prepared and less intimidated by my coursework – especially in classes like manufacturing, where we’re expected to understand casting principles. That’s been a game changer for me. It’s one thing to study manufacturing, but it’s another to see and do it for yourself. FEF allowed me to apply what I’m learning and to connect the dots between theory and practice.

Q: What message would you share with supporters of FEF who help make these opportunities possible?

A: I can’t thank FEF and its supporters enough. Without the scholarship and the opportunity to get involved early in the foundry, I probably wouldn’t have discovered how much I enjoy this type of work. It’s not just about the financial support – though that certainly helps – it’s about being given a space to learn and explore. Because of this program, I’ve explored options for a future career after graduation. I hope donors and industry partners continue to invest in FEF because their impact on students like me is life-changing.

Q: What would you say to other students or the general public who may not be aware of opportunities in metalcasting or manufacturing?

A: There’s a gap in awareness. Many students go into engineering just thinking about high-paying jobs, but they often overlook careers in metallurgy or manufacturing. These fields are essential to the U.S. economy but don’t get the visibility they deserve. Programs like FEF help change that by exposing students to what these careers look like. They show us that hands-on, high-technology work in these industries can be just as impactful and rewarding as more traditional engineering paths.

Learn more about FEF’s programs and its mission here: https://www.fefinc.org/

Virtual Reality Meets Metallurgy: The Future of Defense Training is Here

To address the growing need for skilled workers in the U.S. industrial base, the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program collaborates with universities to offer immersive bootcamps that equip participants with essential skills in metallurgy and manufacturing. One unique offering during these bootcamps is virtual reality-based foundry tours.

The tours complement the bootcamps’ hands-on training in critical skill areas like casting, sandblasting, and forging metals. This fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation ensures that graduates are well-prepared to contribute to advancing national defense and other critical sectors.

Bringing Advanced Manufacturing to Life Through VR

The University of Tennessee and IACMI developed the virtual reality modules to enhance STEM education by immersing users in advanced composites manufacturing. Modules cover processes like carbon fiber production, sheet molding compound, extrusion, long fiber thermoplastic production, extrusion-compression molding, injection molding, pultrusion, and roll forming.

Students view metal casting through virtual reality at a foundry in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Uday Vaidya, Chief Technology Officer at IACMI, said these virtual reality modules are especially vital to provide immersive learning experiences and generate students’ interest in the metallurgical field.

“The virtual reality foundry is a very powerful one, not all K-12 students have the time to go to the foundry, ” said Vaidya.” “By viewing it on VR, it’s literally like being there. You’re going to basically see things like you’re on the floor, watching metal pour, big presses coming down on blocks of hot metal, you can almost feel the effects of the temperature and pressure. There’s nothing like experiencing it as close to the real world as possible.”

Uday Vaidya, Chief Technology Officer at IACMI, demonstrates virtual reality modules at a foundry in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Led by IACMI–The Composites Institute, METAL addresses critical workforce shortages in the U.S. casting and forging industry. Between now and 2028, the defense industrial base is projected to require at least 122,000 more professionals, including shipbuilders, engineers, and other essential roles supporting the Department of Defense. A shortfall in meeting this demand could pose a serious risk to the strength and security of U.S. national defense.

Vaidya said he’s incredibly grateful to the Department of Defense for funding METAL initiatives and hopes programs like these can support DOD and IACMI’s goal of reaching up to 100,000 students.

Learn more about METAL’s mission and our free online training here.

Training Tomorrow’s Defense Experts: Inside the UTK METAL Bootcamp

In the world of manufacturing, metallurgy is more than just a technical skill—it’s the backbone of industries like aerospace, defense, and renewable energy. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is one university leading the charge to fill the growing skills gap in this essential field through its partnership with Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL). The university conducted its second METAL bootcamp during spring break, March 17-25, 2025.

METAL is a workforce development initiative led by IACMI-The Composites Institute that aims to address critical shortages in the U.S industrial base. Hands-on METAL bootcamps not only help train the next generation of manufacturers, but also ignite a passion for metalworking in participants.

“I think that this bootcamp is extremely valuable because you really don’t have access to this type of equipment, especially as a student,” said Adry Lain, a University of Tennessee Mechanical Engineering student who participated in the UTK METAL bootcamp. “So, being able to come here and get this level of experience is something you wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else, really.”

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

METAL bootcamps tap into participants’ talents and interests. From art students to engineering majors, bootcamp attendees dive into the world of metallurgy, gaining invaluable experience and forging connections across disciplines.

The recent five-day bootcamp at the University of Tennessee Art and Architecture building allowed students to cast aluminum into 3-D printed sand molds, cast bronze into sand resin molds, conduct machining and sand blasting and participate in a virtual reality foundry tour. They also engaged in discussions with the Foundry Education Foundation and Steel Founders Society of America.

“The different types of casting that we’re doing range from sand to plaster to different types of investment molding, so we’re really getting a full spectrum of the type of casting that we’re seeing here,” Lain said. “Bronze is an insanely high temperature cast. It’s closer to steel than anything else, so when we’re doing bronze, this is the real deal, unlike just doing aluminum casting at home. It’s a really fun and friendly environment to learn in.”

The experience empowered students to understand metallurgy and participate in cutting-edge industry advancements. These skills are not only crucial for industries like defense manufacturing but also contribute to the broader goals of technological innovation and industrial advancement.

Why METAL Matters

As industries across the globe turn to advanced manufacturing to drive innovation, skilled metalworkers are in high demand.

Programs like METAL bootcamps are integral to developing a talented workforce to advance critical fields, including defense technology and sustainable infrastructure.

According to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the U.S. is projected to face a shortfall of 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030, with a deficit of 383,000 skilled workers needed to support industries like casting and forging.

These shortages put critical defense capabilities – like U.S. Navy shipbuilding – at risk. By nurturing a skilled workforce to meet the nation’s needs, METAL for America helps keep America’s defense base strong.

Learn more about the METAL Movement

Whether you’re a student exploring career options, a professional looking to reskill, or someone passionate about the intersection of art and engineering, METAL has something for you. Stay updated on future bootcamps and other educational opportunities by visiting MetalforAmerica.org and following us on social media.