America’s Cutting Edge, a manufacturing workforce development program, has surpassed 20,000 online students and 5,000 in-person bootcamp participants, reflecting growing demand for skills training in U.S. manufacturing. The program, launched in 2020 by IACMI–The Composites Institute, was developed to address labor and skills shortages across industrial sectors. Officials said the milestone highlights continued interest in modern manufacturing careers among students, career changers and incumbent workers. Workforce Training Targets Manufacturing .
ACE began as a free online course in computer numerical control machining in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Has since expanded to 11 online courses and more than 40 training sites nationwide. The program combines online instruction with hands-on training to help participants develop practical skills for operating modern manufacturing equipment.
Participants include students, as well as current industry workers seeking to upskill. According to IACMI, nearly half of participants come from colleges or universities, while working professionals also make up a significant portion of enrollees.
“When we launched ACE, we saw a surge of people. Including students, career changers and incumbent workers. Ready to build skills, alongside an industry that urgently needs talent and is eager to engage,” said Justin Brooks, IACMI deputy director of Workforce Development. “ACE’s growth reflects a real appetite to advance modern manufacturing. That’s the foundation for rebuilding America’s industrial strength, and we’re proud to help drive it.”
The program’s growth comes as manufacturers continue to face workforce shortages and increasing demand for skilled labor. The milestone also follows IACMI’s launch of the “Make it in America” outreach campaign in late 2025, which promotes manufacturing careers and highlights workforce programs such as ACE and the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeships & Learning initiative focused on casting and forging.
Source: Workforce Training Targets Manufacturing
Workforce Training Program Targets Manufacturing Skills Gap
https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/99924-workforce-training-program-targets-manufacturing-skills-gap?oly_enc_id=2558A7824412D5W
https://www.techedmagazine.com/category/industries/manufacturing/
