STATESBORO, Georgia (February 11, 2026) – The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce a new partnership with Georgia Southern University to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals. Funded by the Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.
Georgia Southern’s Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) program will implement METAL’s nationally recognized curriculum in its program, beginning with a combination of online training and immersive in-person bootcamps held at a manufacturing lab, equipped for metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities.
In addition to adult training, these programs will lead outreach efforts for K–12 students by offering workshops and partnering with high schools and other local and regional schools to spark early interest in metallurgical careers.
“The hands-on training students and job seekers will experience through METAL’s partnership with Georgia Southern will teach them industry-ready skills they can apply immediately,” said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. “These are high-demand, high-impact careers and exposing students to modern metalworking helps build a pipeline of talent ready to support American manufacturing and innovation.”
Upon completing online and in-person bootcamp training, participants may enter a stacked curriculum offering a menu of specialized training opportunities within METAL, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience, including an enhanced focus on automation in the casting and forging industry.
“We are excited to partner with METAL to provide hands-on and computational learning experiences using our exceptional manufacturing facilities,” said Mingzhi Xu, Ph.D., FEF Key Professor at Georgia Southern. “By opening our foundry and laboratories to the broader community, we are proud to support METAL’s mission and help prepare the public for high-impact careers in modern metal manufacturing.”
Georgia Southern University’s partnership with METAL includes:
- Online training, progressing to hands-on, in-person bootcamps conducted within a manufacturing lab, equipped with metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities
- Execute a minimum of 12 in-person bootcamps for at least 150 participants throughout the course of its tenure
- Host at least six open foundry nights for a minimum of 200 K-12 students
- Foster collaborations with local high schools and community colleges. This strategic partnership will focus on integrating METAL training into their educational curriculum, enriching opportunities for students interested in metalworking and manufacturing.
- Participate in a comprehensive Train the Trainer initiative, which aims to equip future METAL program partner schools and training centers with the knowledge and capability to host bootcamps
- Establish academic credit for secondary and post-secondary students 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 future educational opportunities in metallurgy.
Georgia Southern’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 and Purdue University. Together, these institutions are revitalizing American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable and sustainable workforce development programs.
For more information about METAL at Georgia Southern, 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 Georgia Southern University Foundry Educational Foundation Program
The Georgia Southern University Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) Program provides hands-on education and workforce training in metalcasting. FEF Certified in 2021, the program integrates experiential learning, modern foundry practices, and industry-aligned curriculum to prepare students and professionals for careers in metal manufacturing. Through access to state-of-the-art foundry and manufacturing facilities, the program supports education, outreach, and industry engagement while contributing to the development of a skilled, industry-ready workforce.
About Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
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