The Forging Industry Association (FIA) and the Forging Industry Educational & Research Foundation (FIERF) are meeting the challenges faced by forging producers in North America by partnering with universities, workforce groups, and innovarion institutes. These collaborations—spanning defense, robotics, composites, and academia—help modernize the supply chain and prepare the next generation of skilled workers, ensuring forging remains a vital force in North America and beyond.

LIFT – Driving Innovation in Advanced Materials

One of FIA and FIERF’s cornerstone partnerships is with LIFT, the National Advanced Materials and

Manufacturing Innovation Institute. LIFT is a nonprofit, public-private partnership uniting industry, academia, and government to accelerate advanced manufacturing technology and talent development.

For forging, this collaboration represents both a research pipeline and a workforce pathway. By tapping into LIFT’s vast ecosystem of partners, the forging industry gains access to cutting-edge expertise in materials science, digital manufacturing, and workforce training.

The partnership has been particularly critical in elevating forging’s profile within the broader advanced manufacturing conversation—demonstrating that while forging is a centuries-old process, it remains vital to modern innovation and national security.

IACMI and the METAL Program – A New Era in Workforce Development

Another major collaboration comes through IACMI—the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation—and the new METAL (Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning) program.

Backed by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Innovation Capability and Modernization Office, METAL is designed to transform the U.S. base metals workforce—including casting and forging—by building a national training network that will sustain and grow talent through 2050.

The first METAL pilot hub launched in Pennsylvania in 2024, strategically located in a region that remains a backbone of the metals industry and a hub for the nuclear Navy. With expansion already in planning, METAL represents a scalable model for nationwide metals training.

FIA’s role in METAL has included promoting the program at Forge Fair, the industry’s flagship trade show, and providing direct connections between program developers and forging producers. By ensuring that forging is included from the outset, FIA and FIERF are safeguarding the future of the forging workforce.

ARM Institute – Robotics and Automation for Forging

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute is another strategic partner. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, ARM is dedicated to accelerating the use of robotics, AI, and automation across U.S. manufacturing.

In 2025, ARM hosted the FIA Automation and Advanced Technology Conference, bringing forging industry professionals together with robotics experts to explore how automation can solve pressing challenges. Topics included labor shortages, process consistency, quality control, and cost competitiveness.

For an industry often characterized as physically demanding and equipment-intensive, the integration of robotics can improve safety while enabling higher-precision operations. Through ARM, FIA members gain access to research, pilot projects, and best practices in automation adoption—helping forgers of all sizes to modernize their operations.

America Makes – Tying in Additive Manufacturing

America Makes is another strategic partnership for additive manufacturing technology and education. Based in Youngstown, this collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing and is managed by the not-for-profit National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM).

In the fall of 2023, two projects related to forging started. Several Magnet Schools are leading the efforts with funding from America Makes, and direct support from member companies. FIA also supports both projects alongside our members. One project is 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 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]

SFSA and the FIERF Forging Competition – Celebrating Craft and Innovation

Finally, FIA and FIERF have partnered with the Steel Founders’ Society of America (SFSA) to launch the FIERF Forging Competition.

This event not only celebrates the skill of forging but also encourages creativity, sustainability, and cross-disciplinary innovation. Students, educators, and professionals alike are invited to participate, helping to showcase forging as both an art and a science. The 2026 Forging Competition challenges students to creatively design and forge a functioning American Felling Axe.

The competition builds awareness among students while fostering camaraderie across the broader metals industry.

Why Partnerships Matter

The breadth of FIA and FIERF’s partnerships demonstrates a central truth: no single organization can meet the forging industry’s challenges alone. Whether the issue is workforce shortages, global competition, technological change, or community engagement, solutions require collaboration.

Through alliances with research institutes, workforce nonprofits, trade associations, and community groups, FIA and FIERF amplify their impact. These partnerships help:

• Secure funding and government support for forging initiatives.
• Develop training programs that prepare students and workers for long-term careers.
• Promote technology adoption that modernizes forging operations.
• Advocate effectively at the national level for policies that support manufacturers.
• Engage youth and communities, ensuring the next generation understands forging’s importance.

In short, partnerships allow FIA and FIERF to extend their reach well beyond the association’s walls—positioning forging as a critical pillar of the North American manufacturing landscape.

Looking Ahead

As FIA and FIERF plan for the future, these partnerships will only grow in significance. Programs like METAL are still in their early phases, but with strong industry engagement they have the potential to reshape the forging workforce for decades. Collaborations with robotics and automation institutes promise to help forging plants remain competitive on the global stage. And outreach through merit badges, scholarships, and competitions ensures that the forging story continues to inspire.

By working alongside other associations, nonprofits, universities, and government partners, FIA and FIERF are securing a stronger future for forging, one partnership at a time.

For more information on FIERF and FIA workforce development efforts please contact FIERF Executive Director, Amanda Dureiko at [email protected].

For information regarding FIA and ongoing government projects and engagement please contact Dekland Barnum, Technical Director, at [email protected].