The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute, formed a partnership with Purdue University engineering programs to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals.
Funded by the national defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.
Purdue’s School of Materials Engineering within the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Program within the Polytechnic Institute 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 Purdue 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. Purdue has been a core innovation partner with IACMI since the institute was founded in 2015, providing leadership for Design, Modeling & Simulation Technology for composites manufacturing and performance. This expanded partnership builds on that cross-collaboration of research and workforce development.
“Purdue is an exciting addition to the METAL program,” said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. “Many students and job seekers are unfamiliar with the advanced technologies and career opportunities available in metal casting and forging. We are partnering with educational institutions to showcase the dynamic, rewarding careers that these industries offer.”
“We are thrilled to partner with IACMI and the METAL program to leverage decades of Purdue investment in metal casting, heat treating and characterization across campus,” said Michael Titus, associate professor of materials engineering. “The METAL program will expand and update our capabilities across investment casting and automated foundries to bring unique training opportunities to students, job seekers and industrial partners alike.”
Ragu Athinarayanan, professor of smart manufacturing and industrial informatics, added, “The METAL program will leverage Purdue’s uniquely integrated Smart Foundry, embedding Industry 4.0 capabilities such as digital twins, advanced sensing, data analytics, robotics, and AI directly into the foundry environment. This positions Purdue as a living laboratory where metalcasting expertise and next-generation digital manufacturing technologies come together to advance productivity, sustainability, and workforce readiness.”
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.
Purdue’s addition to the METAL network strengthens a growing national network of METAL hubs, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, Michigan Technological University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and NC State.
