Plan For the Next School Year

School May Be Out, But
Workforce Development Should Not Be

Summer often brings a different rhythm inside the foundry. Production continues, vacations are scheduled, and attention remains focused on meeting customer needs. Yet while students are enjoying their summer break, NFFS members should be looking ahead.

Fall student engagement starts long before the school year begins.

If we want to strengthen our workforce pipeline, summer is the time to prepare.

Non-ferrous foundries are more than manufacturing facilities. They are innovators, problem-solvers, and critical suppliers supporting aerospace, defense, transportation, medical technology, energy, and countless other industries. Our work matters. But the future of this industry depends on something more important than equipment or processes.

It depends on people.

As experienced workers retire and competition for skilled talent continues to increase, the foundry industry faces a growing challenge. Too many young people never consider manufacturing careers simply because they have never been exposed to the opportunities that exist.

That is why student engagement matters.

The Future Workforce Will Not Find Us on Its Own

Many students, parents, and educators still hold outdated perceptions of manufacturing. They may not understand the technology, craftsmanship, career growth, or earning potential available within modern foundries.

If we do not tell our story, someone else will tell it for us, or worse, the story will never be told at all.

NFFS is passionate about helping members engage the next generation and strengthen the future of our industry. We believe every foundry has the opportunity to inspire students, build community relationships, and demonstrate the value of careers in metalcasting.

But there is an important truth every employer must recognize.

Only you can close your skills gap.

Associations can provide resources. Schools can create partnerships. NFFS can offer tools, ideas, and support. But meaningful workforce development happens when foundries decide to act.

The companies that invest in outreach today are positioning themselves to become employers of choice tomorrow.

Why Student Engagement Matters

Student outreach is not simply about filling open positions. It is about building long-term awareness, creating opportunity, and strengthening the industry for generations to come.

Engagement helps foundries:

Build a Stronger Talent Pipeline
Today's classroom visit or facility tour may become tomorrow's intern, apprentice, or employee.

Inspire Innovation and Curiosity
Young people bring fresh ideas, creativity, and energy that help industries evolve and improve.

Strengthen Community Relationships
Foundries with strong local engagement build trust, visibility, and pride within their communities.

Become Employers of Choice
Companies that actively engage schools and students often build stronger reputations and attract talent more effectively than those relying only on traditional recruiting methods.

Summer Is the Time to Prepare

Successful outreach does not happen by accident. It requires planning, relationship building, and intentional effort. Summer provides the perfect window to prepare for fall engagement.

Now is the time to:

Schedule Facility Tours
Invite students, educators, and community leaders into your foundry to experience the process firsthand. Seeing metalcasting in action creates lasting impressions.

Connect with Schools and Educators
Reach out early to career and technical education programs, STEM teachers, counselors, and local schools before schedules become crowded.

Create Hands-On Experiences
Students learn best through participation. Interactive demonstrations and classroom activities help make manufacturing careers real and exciting.

Explore Internships and Job Shadowing
Even short experiences can influence career decisions and help students see themselves working in manufacturing.

Prepare Employee Ambassadors
Your employees are often your most powerful storytellers. Encourage them to share their experiences and passion for the industry.

Resources Ready to Support You

NFFS members do not need to start from scratch. Several proven programs and resources are available to help foundries connect with students and promote careers in metalcasting.

Programs and engagement opportunities include:

• ASM Materials Camp
• Cast in Steel
• Casting Dreams
• Craftsman with Character
• FEF CastCrawler
• Metalcasting in the Classroom

These programs provide practical tools and partnerships that make outreach easier and more impactful.

You Do Not Have to Do It Alone

Taking the first step toward student engagement can feel challenging, especially for companies that have not done it before.

That is why NFFS is here to help.

Whether you want to host a facility tour, connect with local schools, develop classroom activities, or create a broader outreach strategy, support is available.

Reach out to Bill Padnos and Erin Boehm for ideas, guidance, and assistance planning your fall outreach activities.

We are passionate about helping foundries engage the next generation. We can provide solutions and help you navigate available programs and partnerships.

But the decision to act belongs to each member company.

Only you can make the difference in your community. Only you can build the relationships, tell your story, and position your foundry as an employer of choice.

The future workforce will not discover our industry on its own.

School may be out for summer, but the work of shaping tomorrow's workforce starts today.