NFFS Issues 2025 Scholarship Award
Shaping the Future of Metal Casting — One Classroom at a Time
In an industry rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving through innovation, one truth remains: the future of metal casting depends on the next generation. That’s why the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society is taking a more hands-on approach to student engagement—literally stepping into classrooms to connect with students where the spark of curiosity is just beginning to ignite.
On Wednesday, April 30, Bill Padnos, NFFS' Director of Workforce Development, traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to present the 2025 NFFS Scholarship Award to Sean McCarthy, a standout student in the university’s metal casting program. But the visit was about much more than handing out a certificate—it was a deliberate effort to meet students on their turf, in the very environment where their interest in the foundry industry is taking shape.
“It’s one thing to recognize students at a formal event,” said Padnos. “But it’s another thing entirely to show up in their classroom, talk with them face-to-face, and let them know that this industry sees them, values them, and has a place for them.”
That real-time interaction proved powerful. During the visit, Padnos spoke with students about the many opportunities that exist in non-ferrous foundries, from engineering to operations, and offered to personally connect them with NFFS members for facility tours, internships, and career paths. By breaking down barriers between education and industry, NFFS is helping to ensure that students can see a clear and exciting future for themselves in metal casting.
The outreach didn’t stop with students. NFFS also presented a $500 award to Professor Kyle Metzloff of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology Management. The funding will go toward purchasing classroom materials and resources for the Metal Processing Technology course. Metzloff and his students recently participated in the Cast in Steel competition at CastExpo in Atlanta, where Padnos had the opportunity to see their work firsthand and support them at the NFFS trade show booth.
Classroom visits like this are more than feel-good moments—they are essential strategies in a field that is projected to face over 300,000 open positions by 2030. The metal casting industry cannot afford to wait until graduation to connect with talent. By engaging students while they’re still learning the craft, NFFS and its members are helping to inspire, inform, and recruit the future leaders of the industry.
“We’re planting seeds,” said Padnos. “And every visit, every conversation, every handshake brings us one step closer to a stronger, more vibrant future for metal casting.”
If you are interested in learning more about the NFFS scholarship program or want to connect with the students at UW-Platteville, please reach out to Bill Padnos at bill@nffs.org.