Companies can receive incentive
funding for each new apprentice
A strong national defense depends on a strong domestic manufacturing industry. That’s why Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) is partnering with IACMI – The Composites Institute to revitalize the American manufacturing workforce through apprenticeships.
As a partner in IACMI’s METAL (Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning) initiative, MAMC will assist manufacturers across the country in the casting and forging sector with establishing apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship pathways.
METAL is supported through funding from the Department of War’s Office of Industrial Base Policy, strengthening and diversifying the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce in the casting and forging industry.
“The shrinking supply chain for critical defense materials demands an immediate response,” explained Dr. Matthew Draper, Deputy Director – Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program. “We must rebuild a modern workforce, technologically adept and capable of meeting the demands of our defense industry with efficiency and innovation.”
Under the two-year agreement with IACMI, MAMC’s Apprenticeship Works team will conduct outreach to casting and forging operations across the nation to assist them in establishing, expanding and maintaining apprenticeship programs in these and related occupations.
MAMC will leverage the resources of Apprenticeship Works, its U.S. Department of Labor-funded apprenticeship program, which, since 2016, has assisted manufacturers in 33 states with creating apprenticeship programs. The total cost of Apprenticeship Works is $7,103,847. The initiative is funded entirely through a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant.
Apprenticeship Works will serve as a national sponsor and liaison with the DOL, help tailor apprenticeships to a company’s particular operations, deliver train-the-trainer services, stand up new DOL-registered apprenticeships and provide incentive funding.
Companies may apply for grants of up to $4,000 for each new apprentice with a maximum of $24,000 per location. The money can pay for related training, safety gear, laptops for delivery of online training – basically anything that supports the apprenticeships, according to Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager.
Under the agreement, MAMC’s Apprenticeship Works will help companies create at least 15 new apprenticeship programs and enroll at least 75 new apprentices.
“We look forward to partnering with IACMI again on this manufacturing workforce initiative,” said MAMC Director Derek Scarbro. “We also serve as a hub for their ACE – America’s Cutting Edge program, introducing 470 individuals to the machine tools trades through CNC machining and metrology bootcamps. We know these programs work because several bootcamp participants have gone on to enroll in our manufacturing careers skills programs and start careers in industry.”
The partnership builds on MAMC’s broader efforts to address the nation’s manufacturing workforce needs by connecting employers with the training, resources and apprenticeship infrastructure needed to develop skilled workers.
To learn more about METAL, contact MAMC Apprenticeship Unit Director Heather Cooper at or 304-720-7741.
About IACMI
IACMI – The Composites Institute® is a national public-private partnership focused on advancing composite materials and process technologies. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of War, IACMI brings together over 190 members from industry, academia, and government to drive manufacturing innovation and workforce development.
Sept. 27, 2026
