CLEVELAND, Ohio (July 31, 2026) – The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce a new partnership with Cleveland State University (CSU) to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals. Supported through funding by the Department of War’s (DoW) Office of Industrial Base Policy, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting and forging.

Cleveland State University (CSU) will implement METAL’s nationally recognized curriculum in its program, combining online training with immersive in-person bootcamps focused on casting and forging.

In addition to adult training, these programs will include executing and hosting metalworking job fairs with local companies to provide interviews and hiring opportunities for participants, including internships, apprenticeships and full-time employment.

“We are excited to welcome Cleveland State to the growing list of METAL university partners,” said Mike Kubacki, METAL Program Director. “METAL has made a significant impact on thousands of people and the metalworking and manufacturing industries. Our partnership with Cleveland State will provide increased access to training and enable students and adults to acquire the skills needed to join the workforce quickly.”

Upon completing online and in-person bootcamp training, participants may enter a stacked curriculum that offers a menu of specialized training opportunities within METAL, allowing them to tailor their learning experience, including an enhanced focus on automation in the casting and forging industry. 

“At the CSU Washkewicz College of Engineering, we believe the best engineering education combines a strong academic foundation with meaningful hands-on learning,” said Tushar Borkar, professor of Mechanical Engineering at CSU. “Through our partnership with METAL, students and industry professionals will gain practical experience in advanced manufacturing and forging technologies, helping build the highly skilled workforce needed to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing ecosystem and support the future of American Manufacturing.”

CSU’s partnership with METAL includes plans to:

  • Conduct a minimum of 8 hands-on, in-person bootcamps, with an emphasis on forging, for at least 200 participants throughout the contract period. CSU’s goal for bootcamp participants includes at least 40% participation from public, industry and other groups, while the other percentage will consist of CSU students.
  • Foster collaborations with local high schools, community colleges and other universities. These strategic partnerships will focus on integrating METAL training into their educational curricula, enriching opportunities for students interested in metalworking and manufacturing. 
  • Develop and sustain an industry engagement strategy, expanding relationships with regional employers representing metalworking sectors to ensure training remains aligned with current workforce demands. Engagement activities include:
    • Inviting industry partners to participate in networking events, guest speaking opportunities, technical presentations and workforce panels designed to increase awareness of career pathways within the metalworking sector
    • Encouraging industry partners to participate in on-site training activities, including attendance at in-person bootcamps, demonstrations of real-world applications, and direct engagement with participants to communicate skill expectations, hiring needs, and emerging workforce trends
    • Encouraging employers to utilize METAL online and instructor-led curriculum as part of incumbent worker training, apprenticeship development, and new employee onboarding processes
    • Inviting industry partners to host facility tours, participate in onsite job fairs, provide interviews and hiring opportunities for participants, and contribute subject matter expertise to continuous improvement teams responsible for curriculum review and modification
    • Inviting industry partners to participate in advisory boards, provide internships and mentorship opportunities and identify emerging technologies and process needs to ensure curriculum remains relevant to the evolving metalworking workforce
  • Establish academic credit and non-credit pathways, including courses that can be applied to micro credentials, industry certifications, apprenticeships and degree tracks. The effort ensures alignment with industry standards while providing students with recognized certifications and a future in metalworking.

Last month, IACMI announced plans to expand METAL and America’s Cutting Edge (ACE), another workforce development program focused on machining and manufacturing, of which CSU is also a partner, to 53 new locations at universities, colleges and trade schools by 2030, bringing the total number of sites to more than 100. Additionally, IACMI will introduce new initiatives to engage over 50,000 K-12 students and provide hundreds of internship opportunities.

Cleveland State University’s addition to the METAL network strengthens a growing national network of METAL hubs, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, Michigan Technological University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, NC State, Purdue University, Georgia Southern University, University of Madison-Wisconsin and the University of Northern Iowa. Together, these institutions are revitalizing American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable and sustainable workforce development programs.

For more information about METAL at Cleveland State University, please contact:

Sarah Pope
Email: Sarah@piper-communications.com
Phone: 865-329-0553 

About METAL
Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL), led by IACMI, is an industry-driven initiative aimed at providing high-quality, hands-on training in the metalworking and manufacturing sectors. The program is designed to address workforce development needs by offering comprehensive curricula in casting, forging and metallurgy, with an emphasis on automation and modern manufacturing technologies.

About IACMI
IACMI – The Composites Institute® is a national public-private partnership focused on advancing composite materials and process technologies. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of War, IACMI brings together over 170 members from industry, academia, and government to drive manufacturing innovation and workforce development.

About Cleveland State University

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution located in the heart of downtown Cleveland with 13,000-plus students, eight colleges and more than 175 academic programs. CSU leverages its unique location and strategic partnerships to equip learners with knowledge and future-ready skills for infinite opportunities. Through innovative research, dedicated service and exceptional talent, CSU addresses the evolving needs of Northeast Ohio. Find more information at csuohio.edu. 

###