NFFS Webinar - Lighting the Spark

How can foundries inspire the next generation to explore rewarding careers in metalcasting? One of the most effective ways is through hands-on youth camps that bring students face-to-face with the excitement of manufacturing.

In this webinar, Ed Dernulc and Cindy Day of Sparkforce, the FMA Foundation, along with Joe Costabile, a long-time champion of metal casting camps, will share practical strategies for planning, hosting, and sustaining successful youth engagement programs. These camps must take place at a college or school setting, where students have access to the right facilities, and they can be enhanced by including a tour of a local foundry and conversations about real careers in metalcasting. After all, if students are attending these specialty c

amps, why not give them the unforgettable experience of melting and pouring metal themselves?

You’ll learn:

• Why camps are a powerful tool for workforce development.
• How to design activities that ignite curiosity and showcase career opportunities.
• Steps to working with local colleges to host camps effectively.
• How to integrate foundry tours and career conversations into the program.
• Best practices and success stories from existing metal casting camps.

Whether you’re new to the idea or looking to expand your outreach, this session will provide the inspiration and guidance you need to light the spark for the future of our industry.