Eight US universities chosen to revive innovation and engineering among the American workforce
In a joint venture with the federal government, The Foundry School will drive collaboration between sectors to enhance the economy of the future
The Foundry School will drive collaboration between industry and universities to skill the workforce of the future
Arizona State University is among eight leading institutions chosen to lead a national initiative preparing the next generation of workers to drive forward American manufacturing.
The Foundry School, a U.S. Department of State initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, was announced in Washington DC by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The school will develop and train the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers, inventors and industrial leaders to build and operate advanced manufacturing enterprises.
Michael Crow, the ASU President, said: "This is about universities and industry working together to accelerate all things associated with enhancing workforce preparation and competitiveness.
"ASU has been asked to be a part of this effort to help create the conditions to make sure the United States continues to be a global leader in driving the economy of the future.”
Sharing expertise
The Foundry School will rely on deep collaboration among industry, government and higher education.
Across the eight universities – the other seven being Stanford, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Washington University in St. Louis, Penn State, Georgia Tech, and the University of Kansas - the program will run 17 sessions, each taught by founders and CEOs from advanced manufacturing enterprises.
Manufacturers will share practical expertise developed through building and scaling industrial enterprises, while executives help teach students about areas including materials, precision production, automation, supply chains, factory economics and industrial leadership.
These leaders will be drawn from the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan and India.
ASU leaders said its critical infrastructure, combined with proven industry partnerships, will contribute to the effort to build the manufacturing workforce at scale.
Crow added: "We have all kinds of initiatives already underway at ASU.
“We are deeply engaged in work related to training, to special R&D advancement, to advanced manufacturing, and to teaching, learning and discovery activities with industry. ASU is built for this assignment."
The federal government will be involved in aligning resources, convening partners and supporting workforce pathways, while the participating universities will translate industry expertise into education, embedding advanced manufacturing knowledge into curricula and workforce programs.
