Mississippi State to become first to offer combination of ACE CNC Machining, Composites and METAL training  

STARKVILLE, Miss. –  (October 20, 2026) – The America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce Mississippi State University (MSU) will become the first hub to provide a combination of ACE CNC machining, ACE composites, and METAL training – scaling up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective machining, manufacturing and metalworking professionals in Mississippi.

ACE and METAL are IACMI-led workforce development training programs 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, while METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting and forging.

MSU is expanding its partnership with ACE to include composites training. MSU became an ACE CNC machining partner in 2024 and announced its partnership with METAL earlier this year. MSU’s partnership with METAL also includes plans for a K-12 Mobile Training Unit, a transportable STEM learning environment. The unit will offer in-person sessions featuring hands-on activities, career exploration demonstrations and educator engagement sessions. 

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 composites, including its application in machining, automotive, energy storage and aerospace.

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

“We’re proud to announce that Mississippi State is the first partner to offer a combination of ACE CNC machining, ACE composites and METAL training to students, industry professionals and community members,” said Elliot Keas, ACE program director at IACMI. “Mississippi State has been a trusted ACE partner, and expanding this relationship will create even greater access to hands-on training and career opportunities in advanced manufacturing and the composites industry. We are proud of what we have built together with Mississippi State and look forward to expanding its impact across the region.”

Ross Smith, director of Mississippi State University’s Innovation Design & Engineering Educational Laboratory (IDEELab), said bringing the three training programs together is a milestone for the university and the state, and part of building the workforce that will drive American manufacturing. 

“Through IDEELab, we are creating a comprehensive training ecosystem that connects K-12 students, university students and industry professionals with the advanced technologies and hands-on experiences needed to succeed,” Smith said. “These programs are about more than developing technical skills; they are about creating opportunities, strengthening our nation’s industrial base and positioning Mississippi as a national leader in advanced manufacturing workforce development.”

A few months ago, IACMI announced plans to expand ACE and METAL 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.

MSU 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 Smith at rsmith@bagley.msstate.edu. 

For more information about ACE at MSU, please contact:

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

Kristen Polk, Publications Manager, Mississippi State University
Email: kpolk@bagley.msstate.edu 

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 METAL
Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL), led by IACMI, is an industry-driven initiative aimed at providing high-quality, hands-on training in the metalworking and manufacturing sectors. The program is designed to address workforce development needs by offering comprehensive curricula in casting, forging and metallurgy, with an emphasis on automation and modern manufacturing technologies.

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 Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering is committed to advancing engineering education, research, innovation and workforce development to meet the needs of Mississippi and the nation. Within the Bagley College, the Innovation Design & Engineering Educational Laboratory (IDEELab) serves as a hands-on advanced manufacturing, design and workforce development environment connecting students, faculty and industry. Through state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, industry-driven training programs, experiential learning and partnerships with regional and national employers, IDEELab prepares students and incumbent workers with the technical skills needed for careers in modern manufacturing. The laboratory also serves as a hub for workforce initiatives spanning machining, advanced manufacturing, composites and metalworking, helping strengthen Mississippi’s manufacturing talent pipeline while supporting the competitiveness of U.S. industry.