Full-Circle Moment: From My First Mentor to Building the Next Generation of Foundry Talent

I’m Living Proof That “Hire for Fit, Train for Skill” Works

Last week at Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Paul Anselmo, the retired president of New Century Careers and my very first mentor in workforce development. Seeing him again brought back a flood of memories and a powerful reminder of how opportunity and belief in potential can change a person’s life.

Back in 2013, I was an association management professional. I had never stepped foot in a manufacturing facility, never seen a robot in operation, and never imagined a career focused on workforce development. When I interviewed for the newly created role of Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ program, I was sure my lack of industry experience would count against me.

But Paul and the BotsIQ executive committee looked beyond my resume. They didn’t focus on what I didn’t know; they focused on what I could learn. They hired me for fit, for curiosity, organization, energy, and the ability to connect people and ideas, and then gave me the space and support to train for skill.

That single decision changed everything.

Paul saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. He and the committee gave me the chance to learn an industry, build relationships with manufacturers and educators, and develop a deep respect for the people who make things with their hands for a living. That opportunity set me on the path I’m still on today.

Fast-forward to now. I serve as the Director of Workforce Development for the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society (NFFS) and lead our Talent Pipeline Program (TPP). For the past year, I’ve had the privilege of learning about the metal casting industry, a world built on precision, craftsmanship, and teamwork. Every visit to a foundry reinforces what I first learned from Paul: that workforce development is not about finding perfect resumes; it’s about finding the right people and giving them the tools to succeed.

The very creed that defines the TPP, Hire for Fit / Train for Skill was lived out in my own career.

Most foundry jobs aren’t about walking in with prior experience in the industry. They’re about finding the right people, those with passion, reliability, and a willingness to learn, and giving them the opportunity to grow. The best foundries know that they can teach the technical skills. What’s harder to teach is passion, teamwork, and accountability.

That’s where the Talent Pipeline Program comes in. NFFS partnered with the TPP to help foundries do what Paul once did for me: identify great people, train them intentionally, and build long-term success around human potential.

Through TPP, foundries gain access to:

• Structured onboarding and training frameworks that reduce turnover and accelerate productivity.
• Best practices and coaching for building a culture of continuous learning.
• Connections to funding opportunities to support training and apprenticeships.
• A national network of foundries committed to developing talent and strengthening the defense-industrial base.

In short, TPP helps foundries move from hiring out of desperation to hiring with purpose, so they can grow teams that are productive, loyal, and proud of the work they do. When I look back, I realize I wouldn’t be doing this work today if someone hadn’t taken a chance on me. Now, I want every foundry in America to give that same chance to the next generation.

If you believe in people and in building the kind of team that lasts, then the NFFS Talent Pipeline Program is for you. Let’s build the future workforce of metal casting, one opportunity at a time.

Interested in joining the Talent Pipeline Program?

Visit www.nffs.org/talentpipeline or contact me at bill@nffs.org directly to learn how your foundry can get started.