IACMI to Expand Manufacturing Training to 53 New National Sites
The Composites Institute plans a massive scaling of its workforce development programs, adding 53 new training sites by 2030. Supported by the Department of War, the initiative aims to bridge the national manufacturing skills gap through expanded apprenticeships and early-education outreach reaching over 50,000 students nationwide.
The expansion targets two primary pillars: America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) and the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeships & Learning (METAL) program. By 2030, the total network footprint will exceed 100 locations across universities, trade schools, and colleges. This growth is funded by the Department of War’s Office of Industrial Base Policy, reflecting a strategic push to secure the domestic supply chain by training a new generation of machinists and metallurgists.
ACE, which focuses on CNC machining, will grow its training presence to 80 sites. The institute is also introducing a K-5 curriculum titled ACE METAL Foundations, utilizing portable kits to introduce design and materials science to younger students. Meanwhile, the METAL program will double its current footprint, adding specialized forging bootcamps and deploying mobile training units designed to reach rural areas. According to IACMI CEO Chad Duty, the effort aims to demystify manufacturing careers and provide rapid pathways into the workforce. The program will also offer over 350 internships and 75 apprenticeships to ensure that technical training aligns directly with current industrial demand.
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