According to government statistics, the U.S. foundry industry currently employs about 184,100 workers. That total is 31,000 higher than during the pandemic trough in 2020. 

While that number is impressive in and of itself, it masks the fact that there are constantly people entering and leaving our industry. In fact, since the Baby Boom Generation began to retire in large numbers starting before 2010, it’s reasonable to believe that well over 100,000 metalcasting employees have retired with a similar number coming into the industry in their place.

Thousands of new foundry employees are hired each year. They need orientations to their companies and instructions on foundry safety, equipment usage and company policies. 

They also need more detailed training. Every foundry has its own preferred methods of onboarding and training employees and the AFS Institute can be very helpful in this regard. AFS Foundry E-Learning has numerous modules that are appropriate for new employees including “An Overview of the Foundry Process.” More and more companies are turning to the AFS Institute for training via Zoom, as well. There was an increase from 192 companies investing in AFS Institute training last year to 252 for FY 2025. 
These new employees also need to be mentored, and that is where you come in. Who are you mentoring at your company and in our industry? 

Mentoring can be an explicit agreement between two parties, but often it’s an informal, unspoken relationship. Sometimes, someone early in her/his career will ask an industry veteran to be a mentor, but often the employee is too busy with day-to-day responsibilities to think about how valuable it would be to be mentored. 

As we talk to industry veterans, it is remarkable how often they cite the names of those who have been the most influential in benefiting their own careers. Very often, it has been those same individuals who strongly  encouraged them to get involved in American Foundry Society (AFS) regional chapters, committees, and training programs. They have been there for their younger counterparts when they needed a second opinion on something or some wise counsel. 

If there are younger or newer employees at your company who would benefit from some mentoring, AFS encourages you to speak with them from time to time, perhaps over lunch or a cup of coffee, and see how things are going. Ask if they are encountering any roadblocks to success. Learn what they like most about their job and where they hope their career will take them.

Explore whether they would like to join AFS Young Professionals, the regional chapter or a technical or management committee. I recently reflected on my own career and those who taught me the most. They include two White House officials, a National Mediation Board chair, a senior National Association of Manufacturers official and a state governor to name a few. I also continued to learn from each of the AFS Presidents under whom I have served. Out of gratitude, I wrote a LinkedIn post acknowledging and thanking each of these individuals.

If you have thoughts about being a mentor in our industry, please contact me at dkurkul@afsinc.org. We encourage you to mentor the promising individuals with whom you come into contact!