The Cast Metals Institute celebrates 50 years of educating the metalcasting industry.

Since the formation of the American Foundry Society (AFS) in 1896, education has been a priority. What began as an apprenticeship program in 1924 developed into the Training & Research Institute (T&RI) in 1956 (later becoming the Cast Metals Institute [CMI] in 1973), which held its first classes in 1957. And although the metal casting industry has changed throughout the last 50 years, the mission of CMI--to provide high quality metalcasting education--has not. The institute does so through the approximately 80 courses for more than 1,500 industry personnel each year.

The original training courses of AFS were focused on recruiting and retaining industry personnel. But by the end of World War II, there became a pressing need for better training and instruction as the demands on the industry grew. With the technology boom of the last several decades, it has become even more critical that up-to-date training be readily available.

CMI has adapted to meet the needs of the industry. Where classes once were held primarily at AFS Headquarters, they are now taught at locations across the U.S. to help companies save in travel costs. In response to time issues, more classes also are being offered via the internet.

"The impact of CMI's programs can be found in the way that they have helped educate metalcasters, suppliers and users of metalcastings all to do their jobs better," said Fred Schleg, former vice president of CMI.