Partnership expands the pipeline of skilled machinists through industry-aligned training and hands-on learning

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 15, 2026) – The America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, is proud to announce a new partnership with The Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective machining and manufacturing professionals.

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.

The Ohio State University will implement ACE’s nationally recognized curriculum in its program, which includes free online and hands-on CNC machining training.

ACE connects 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, these programs will lead outreach efforts for K–12 students by offering workshops and partnering with Columbus City Schools and Career & Technology Education Centers of Licking County to spark early interest in machining careers.

The ACE/CDME partnership builds on an existing collaboration. In 2025, Ohio State partnered with IACMI to become a hub for METAL, another workforce development program focused on casting and forging.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Ohio State University into the ACE program,” said Elliot Keas, ACE Program Director at IACMI. “Ohio State has been a valued and trusted partner in IACMI’s METAL program, and we look forward to building on that strong relationship through ACE. This proven workforce development program will help prepare students and community members with the manufacturing and machining skills needed to succeed in today’s industry.”

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.

“CDME is excited to collaborate with both IACMI and our local industry and educational partners,” said Ryan Petitti, CDME director of lab services. “ACE will join METAL as another program supporting the advanced manufacturing community across Ohio, and we look forward to running both CNC and Metrology boot camps.”

The Ohio State University’s partnership with ACE includes plans to:

• Serve a minimum of 160 participants for week-long, hands-on, in-person bootcamps focused on CNC machining throughout the contract period
• Serve a minimum of 215 participants for one-day, hands-on, in-person bootcamps focused on the metrology program during the contract period
• Conduct a minimum of eight K-12 hands-on, in-person workshops during the contract period to spark early interest in machining careers
• Conduct a minimum of 10 community/industry engagement and 14 outreach events during the contract period. Examples include hands-on workshops, university guest lectures/speakers, K-12 tours, or staffing a booth or table at a STEM-related or career fair.
• Organize several industry tours for bootcamp participants, providing them an opportunity to tour and learn from potential employer locations

Earlier this summer, 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.

The Ohio State University’s addition to the ACE network strengthens a 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.