The Forging Industry Association (FIA) continues to expand its commitment to workforce development and technical education through a comprehensive suite of resources available to its members, partners, and the broader forging supply chain. With both traditional print materials and an extensive online learning platform, FIA provides multiple avenues for engineers, production professionals, managers, and students to deepen their expertise in the science and practice of forging.

As the North American forging industry faces increased demand for highly skilled workers, FIA’s educational portfolio is designed to support companies in training their teams, onboarding new employees, and staying current with best practices. Two core pillars of FIA’s educational offerings stand out: its technical print publications and its eLearning platform, Forging University.

A Tradition of Print-Based Learning

FIA has long published authoritative materials that serve as go-to references for forging engineers, customers, and suppliers alike. These resources are particularly valuable for those who prefer quick-reference formats, detailed illustrations, and structured guidance.

Among the most widely used is the "Product Design Guide for Forging," a 240-page manual aimed at original equipment manufacturer (OEM) engineers and buyers. The guide provides practical “do’s and don’ts” for designing products to be forged, complete with graphics, tables, and photos. Its layout allows time-conscious users to quickly locate needed information, and it consolidates FIA’s Guideline Tolerance booklets into a single resource.

Another cornerstone publication is "Open Die Forging Technology," which documents technical advancements in open die forging methods. This handbook offers detailed information on manufacturing equipment, design considerations, and the production of seamless rolled rings. It is widely used for training employees, educating customers, and serving as a resource for students interested in the open die sector.

FIA also produces specialized tolerance guides that have become essential tools for both producers and purchasers:

• "Facts & Guideline Tolerances for Precision Aluminum Forgings" – Designed to educate customers and engineers on aluminum forging processes and quality standards.
• "Guideline Tolerances for Hot Forged Impression Die Forgings" – A reference for the design and purchase of closed-die forged parts.
• "Facts & Guideline Allowances & Tolerances for Seamless Rolled Rings" – A detailed guide to processes, methods, and purchase criteria in the rolled ring sector.

These print resources have helped standardize communication between suppliers and customers, reducing errors in design and procurement while fostering greater understanding of forging capabilities across markets.

Forging University: A Digital Gateway to Industry Training

While print publications remain an important foundation, FIA has embraced digital learning to make training more accessible and adaptable to today’s workforce. Forging University, FIA’s online e-learning platform, offers more than 100 courses and recorded webinars across multiple categories, available 24/7 to members and subscribers.

The platform is structured to support companies of all sizes—from small job shops to global producers—by allowing employees to complete training modules at their own pace.

Topics are organized across disciplines critical to the forging industry:

• Forging Manufacturing and Tooling: Courses such as Additive Manufacturing 101 for Forge Tooling and Engineering Forging Drawings provide technical instruction on emerging processes and traditional methods. Failure Analysis of Forging Problems equips learners with the ability to detect and resolve common defects.
• Forging Materials: Modules like Aluminum and Titanium Metallurgy & Forging 101 and Ferrous Metallurgy give staff foundational knowledge of alloy behavior, microstructures, and heat-treatment processes. Short courses on induction heating, die care, and lubricants complement the technical curriculum.
• Operations and Management: Forging University extends beyond the shop floor with resources on leadership, lean manufacturing, cost estimating, cybersecurity, automation, and government programs such as the Defense Production Act. Webinars featuring industry leaders and FIA partners provide both technical and strategic insight.
• Human Resources and Safety: Recognizing the importance of workplace culture and compliance, the platform includes training on harassment prevention, conflict resolution, CPR/ AED awareness, workplace violence response, and safety practices for forging hammers and presses.
• Sales and Marketing: Even customer-facing staff can benefit from courses such as the Sales Training Workshop, which focuses on communication skills, negotiation, and virtual selling strategies.

Pricing for non-members is structured to allow both individual and companywide access, but for FIA members, Forging University is included at no additional cost. Students, educators, and military personnel with eligible email addresses (.edu, .gov, .mil) can also receive complimentary access.

Leveraging Resources for Workforce Development

For companies facing ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, FIA’s educational resources serve as practical solutions for training new hires and upskilling existing staff.

Onboarding and Skill Development

Forging University’s modular courses can be assigned to new employees to help them quickly grasp industry fundamentals, from the basics of forging processes to the nuances of die maintenance. The Fundamentals of Forging 101 course, for instance, includes eight modules that cover equipment, mechanics, defect prevention, and die failure.

Enhancing Technical Expertise

Engineers and operators seeking deeper knowledge can turn to FIA’s technical handbooks and tolerance guides, ensuring they meet customer specifications with fewer errors. Courses such as Heat Treatment of Carbon Steel Forgings and Lubricants in Forging build on those concepts with practical applications.

Supporting Leadership and Management Training Supervisors and managers can benefit from leadership-focused webinars and resources, ranging from succession planning to financial literacy for forging operations. FIA’s offerings, such as the Next Gen Webinar: Intentional Leadership, also serve to inspire the next generation of leaders within member companies.

Promoting a Culture of Safety and Respect

By incorporating FIA’s workplace harassment and safety training modules into regular employee education, companies can reinforce compliance, reduce liability, and create safer working environments.

Member Advantages

For FIA members, the value proposition is clear. Not only do members receive complimentary access to Forging University, but they also gain discounts on print materials and access to FIA’s broader programming, including in-person technical seminars and benchmarking surveys.

Members are encouraged to integrate Forging University into their training plans by assigning courses to staff at all levels—from entry-level hires to seasoned engineers—and to utilize print publications as reference guides within their operations and engineering departments.

Industrywide Impact

Beyond individual companies, FIA’s educational resources play a critical role in strengthening the North American forging industry as a whole. By raising the baseline knowledge of forging practices across producers, suppliers, educators, and customers, these tools help ensure that the industry remains globally competitive.

Students and educators, in particular, benefit from free access to Forging University, aligning with FIA’s workforce development mission to attract and prepare the next generation of forging professionals.

Looking Ahead

FIA continues to expand both its digital and print offerings. New course development is ongoing, with input from member companies and industry experts. Members are invited to suggest additional topics to ensure the platform evolves alongside industry needs.

As the forging sector faces rapid technological change—automation, additive manufacturing, and advanced metallurgy among them—FIA’s dual approach of maintaining print references and expanding online learning ensures that members have access to both timeless knowledge and cutting-edge training.

The Forging Industry Association’s investment in educational resources reflects its mission to help North American forging companies compete and thrive. With a portfolio that spans practical print manuals and an ever-expanding online learning hub, FIA provides its members and partners with the tools to train their workforce, improve operational excellence, and prepare for the future.

From the shop floor to the executive suite, FIA’s resources are designed to be both practical and adaptable—ensuring that companies have what they need to meet the challenges of today’s competitive manufacturing landscape.

Visit www.forging.org for more information and access to resources.

Contact Angela Gibian at [email protected] to suggest new content or curriculum.