SCHAUMBURG, IL - The American Foundry Society (AFS), North America’s largest metalcasting professional organization, and the Foundry Education Foundation (FEF) today announced a new initiative that will permit full-time undergraduate college students with student memberships in AFS to take the AFS Institute’s “Introduction to Metalcasting” course at no cost.
Under the plan, the AFS Institute – the education arm of AFS -- has lowered the tuition for Introduction to Metalcasting from $1,050 to $550 for AFS members, to make it more affordable to introduce industry professionals, new hires and others to the basics of metalcasting. For college students, in turn, FEF has agreed to cover the remaining $550 tuition cost.
The AFS student membership costs just $20, $15 of which is rebated to the university’s AFS student chapter. There are currently 46 AFS student chapters around North America.
“AFS and FEF have a close, growing working relationship. The partnership on Introduction to Metalcasting is just the latest example of the two organizations working together to continually bring new talent into our $50 billion industry,” said Doug Kurkul, CEO of AFS. “Not only will taking the course provide college students with a deeper understanding of metalcasting, but it will also make their resumes more attractive to future employers.”
“The Introduction to Metalcasting course is an excellent way for students, especially first and second-year students who have yet to intern in a foundry, to learn the basics of the industry, from molding and melting methods to safety and the industry’s economic footprint,” said Brian Lewis, Executive Director of FEF.
This exciting initiative is an outgrowth of discussions among the members of the AFS Education & Training Task Force that began meeting in spring 2025.
The next offering of Introduction to Metalcasting will be July 30-31 in Schaumburg, Illinois at AFS headquarters, taught by former Caterpillar metalcasting expert Jim White. One more is scheduled for October 1-3, live online via Zoom, and several course offerings will be slated for 2026 with ample advance notice to allow for planning. The live online offering will be three consecutive days, for four hours each day. To register or learn more, visit: www.afsinc.org.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $50 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at AFSinc.org.