The metalcasting industry is well aware of the need for young talent. Some would argue you can’t start the search too soon. The Univ. of Northern Iowa’s Metal Casting Center recently held three workshops for more than 50 Boy Scouts in which each scout participating in the molding, fabricating and melting of Dutch ovens commemorating the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary. During the six-hour workshops, UNI metalcasting students and area metalcasters instructed the scouts on the casting process and safety.

According to UNI professor Jerry Thiel, donations of materials came from Ashland Casting Solutions, American Pattern, Fairmount Minerals, HA International, John Deere Waterloo Foundry, UNIMIN and Viking Engineered Castings.

Kudos to UNI and the participating businesses for sharing the industry with potential metalcasting leaders.