Partnership expands the pipeline of skilled machinists via training sites; hands-on learning

DECATUR, Ala. – (October 19, 2026) – The America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce Calhoun Community College (CCC) 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 Alabama. 

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.

CCC is expanding its partnership with ACE to include three additional training sites. These community-facing outlets expand the geographical reach of the college, 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/college 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, CCC will lead outreach efforts for K–12 students by offering workshops on campus and at regional K-12 schools. 

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Calhoun Community College,” said Elliot Keas, ACE program director at IACMI. “This expansion represents our continuing commitment to strengthen the manufacturing workforce by providing students, job seekers and industry professionals with hands-on training and the technical skills needed to succeed in today’s machining industry. By increasing access to industry-aligned education and connecting participants with career opportunities, CCC will help build a stronger pipeline of skilled machinists and support the future of American manufacturing.”

“We are excited to expand Calhoun’s partnership with America’s Cutting Edge and bring this level of CNC machining training to more students, workers and manufacturers across our region,” said Tad Montgomery, Machine Tool Technology Instructor at Calhoun Community College. “This opportunity will allow us to provide more hands-on, industry-focused training while introducing young people to the opportunities available in modern manufacturing.”

Earlier this year, 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.

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

For more information on registering for a bootcamp or becoming an industry partner, please contact:

Tad Montgomery
Email: tad.montgomery@calhoun.edu 
Phone: 256-306-2539

For more information about ACE at CCC, please contact:

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

Sherika Attipoe
Email: sherika.attipoe@calhoun.edu
Phone: 865-329-0553 

Wes Torain
Email: wes.torain@calhoun.edu
Phone: 256-306-2965

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 Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College is Alabama’s largest two-year college and a leading institution for higher education and workforce development in North Alabama. Serving more than 10,000 students across a four-county service area, Calhoun offers more than 150 programs through its Decatur campus, Huntsville/Cummings Research Park site, the Alabama Center for the Arts in downtown Decatur, and online learning. The College is nationally recognized for its leadership in advanced manufacturing education and offers high-quality programs in healthcare, technology, the skilled trades and other high-demand fields. As a catalyst for economic and workforce development, Calhoun contributes an estimated $802.8 million in economic impact to North Alabama. Through accessible education, innovative programs and strong community and industry partnerships, Calhoun prepares students for meaningful careers and strengthens the communities it serves.