America’s Cutting Edge Names WSU Tech Regional Training Hub, Expanding CNC Machining Education Across Kansas

Expanded partnership will increase access to free, hands-on machining training across Kansas through nine additional training sites

WICHITA, Kansas (November 12, 2026) – America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) program, a national manufacturing workforce training initiative, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) will become a new regional hub for CNC machining training – scaling up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective machining and manufacturing professionals in Kansas.

Supported through funding by the Department of War’s (DoW) Office of Industrial Base Policy, ACE helps revitalize the U.S. machining industry by fostering innovative technology development and workforce training.

WSU Tech joined the ACE network in 2024, incorporating ACE training into its machining curriculum and offering free, hands-on bootcamps to individuals interested in developing CNC machining skills. The expanded partnership builds on those efforts, extending training opportunities beyond WSU Tech’s campuses to reach more communities across Kansas.

WSU Tech is expanding its partnership with ACE to include nine additional training sites. These community-facing outlets expand the geographical reach of the university, bringing physical, hands-on training directly to localized workforces.

ACE’s nationally recognized curriculum includes free online and hands-on CNC machining training with public bootcamps. By partnering with training sites, ACE’s scalable framework provides access to high-end technical skills without requiring participants to travel for hours to a major university campus.

ACE uses free online and in-person, hands-on training to connect top national experts with students and incumbent industrial workers from all backgrounds, levels of education, and work experience to catalyze awareness and interest in all facets of machining, including software development, metrology, design, operation, and entrepreneurship.

In addition to adult training, WSU Tech will lead outreach efforts for K–12 students by offering workshops on campus and at regional K-12 schools.

“Expanding our partnership with WSU Tech allows ACE to increase access to high-quality, industry-aligned machining training and connect more students and job seekers with opportunities in advanced manufacturing,” said Elliot Keas, ACE program director at IACMI. “WSU Tech’s commitment to hands-on education and workforce development makes it an important part of the ACE network. Together, we can continue to help prepare the next generation of skilled machinists, strengthen the manufacturing workforce and support the long-term competitiveness of American industry.”

“Kansas manufacturers need skilled workers, and partnerships like this help us reach more people with the training to meet that demand,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech. “By expanding access to hands-on machining education, we’re creating more opportunities for Kansans to develop valuable skills, pursue rewarding careers, and contribute to the industries that drive our state’s economy.”

A few months ago, IACMI announced plans to expand ACE and METAL, another IACMI-led workforce development program focused on casting and forging, to 53 new locations at universities, colleges, and trade schools by 2030, bringing the total number of sites to more than 100.

Additionally, IACMI will introduce new initiatives to engage over 50,000 K-12 students and provide hundreds of internship opportunities.

WSU Tech is part of ACE’s growing national network of four dozen partners, including high schools, trade schools, technical and community colleges and universities. Together, these institutions are revitalizing American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable, and sustainable workforce development programs.

For more information about ACE at WSU Tech, please contact:

Sarah Pope
Email: Sarah@piper-communications.com
Phone: 865-329-0553

Mandy Fouse
Email: afouse@wsutech.edu
Phone: 316-204-8272

About ACE
America’s Cutting Edge, supported by the U.S. Department of War (DoW) Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, is a national training program designed to reestablish American leadership in the machine tools and composites manufacturing industries through transformative thinking, technological innovation, and workforce development. The curriculum combines advanced training and techniques from the University of Tennessee, the scientific expertise of the Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the proven workforce development capabilities of IACMI-The Composites Institute.

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.

About WSU Tech

As Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, WSU Tech stands at the forefront of modern technical education in Kansas, offering over 100 degree and certificate options. These programs cover critical fields such as aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, culinary arts, business, and more. WSU Tech operates four campuses and serves as the managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS—a city known for its high concentration of STEM jobs.

In 2018, Wichita State University, Kansas’ urban public research university, affiliated with WSU Tech, enhancing the institution’s student-centered focus and aligning with Wichita State’s dedication to innovation and applied learning. This partnership has created a comprehensive educational environment that supports student achievement and meets the evolving needs of industries in the urban heart of Kansas and beyond.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and as a Kansas Board of Regents institution, WSU Tech upholds high academic standards and equips students with the skills necessary for lifelong success and career readiness.