CPP Joins METAL to Expand Metallurgical Workforce Training
Cal Poly Pomona and the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute®, are partnering to establish a West Coast hub for advanced workforce training in metalworking and manufacturing. Funded by the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.
As the newest METAL hub operator, CPP will serve as a regional training and coordination center, integrating METAL training across educational institutions.
“This new hub in Southern California marks an exciting expansion of our national training footprint,” said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. “CPP brings strong regional connections, a commitment to innovation in engineering education, and a proven track record of engaging learners. Through this partnership, we will ensure that current and future professionals in the West Coast have access to critical metallurgical skills training.”
CPP will implement METAL’s nationally recognized curriculum, beginning with a combination of online training and immersive, in-person boot camps held at CPP’s state-of-the-art manufacturing labs, which are equipped for melting, machining and heat treatment. Workshops are scheduled to begin this summer and bootcamps in 2026.
Cal Poly Pomona will receive funding to update equipment and provide opportunities for students to learn about the forging and casting industry and gain specific job-related skills through co-curricular experiences.
Participants will gain practical experience in foundational processes, with access to advanced training in automation and specialized industry needs as they progress through the METAL curriculum.
In addition to adult training, CPP will lead outreach efforts for K-12 students by offering half-day workshops and partnering with high schools, technical schools and community colleges to spark early interest in metallurgical careers.
“We are proud to join the METAL program and help shape the future of manufacturing talent in California and beyond,” said Winny Dong, the chemical and materials engineering professor leading the CPP METAL program. “This program aligns with our polytechnic mission to provide hands-on, industry-relevant education and reinforces our commitment to workforce readiness in advanced manufacturing.”
CPP joins a national network of METAL hubs, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Tennessee Tech and Michigan Technological University. The network aims to revitalize American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable and sustainable workforce development programs.