FROM AFS


Attract. Educate. Support. G


JEFF COOK, AFS PRESIDENT


reetings fellow metalcast- ers. Much has been said and many questions have


been asked regarding ways to support the future of this great industry with regard to personnel. As this year’s president, please al- low me to enlighten you on a few things AFS is doing to address this common concern. Attract. Educate. Support.


T ese three steps must be given equal attention in order for any of the three to work. Attracting young people to the metalcasting industry is not as diffi cult as one might think. What attracted you to the industry? For me, part of it stemmed from my father bringing me to a facility to collect his paycheck when I was 4 years old. He left me in a breakroom that overlooked the melt deck. I still remember the smell of the smoke and the heat through the glass. Many young people might see that same experience quite diff er- ently. Heat, smoke and organized chaos are often seen as negatives to those seeing it for the fi rst time and looking to select what they plan to do with their lives after high school. Attract- ing, therefore, needs to be considered diff erently today than it was in 1971. Young, impressionable minds remember their fi rst experience with the indus- try just as we all did. A tour through a clean, safe, well-lit, well-organized metalcasting facility or perhaps an informative Foundry in a Box demon- stration is our best advertisement. Robots are great but unnecessary to make a positive impression. Clean fl oors and clear air should be the fi rst, and cheapest, step. Education options abound for young people who have decided to


seek a higher education in met- alcasting-related fi elds. American colleges are the best in the world at educating students on metalcasting subjects. Yet, for today’s generation, that’s not enough. Networking is a very important part of that experi- ence. T irty-fi ve student chapters exist at universities and community colleges across North America. AFS has named co-liaisons Shelly Dutler, AFS Institute director of education, and Katie Matticks, AFS IT project manager, to help these groups interact and learn from one another. Casting competitions are sprouting up all over the country putting interested, talented students in front of industry professionals looking to hire. Supporting those students after


graduation is the fi nal step to bring new talent into our industry. T e Future Leaders in Metalcasting (FLM) continues to grow and off ers networking opportunities to those entering the industry. T ey meet a few times per year to tour facilities


Robots are great but unnecessary to make a


positive impression. Clean


fl oors and clear air should be the fi rst, and cheapest, step.


and listen to presentations on timely topics. AFS also has created co- liaisons for this group. Cathy Potts, AFS director of human resources and administrative services, and Holly Steuerwald, AFS magazines and marketing assistant, will work


46 | MODERN CASTING December 2016


Jeff Cook


with FLM leadership to continue moving the eff ort forward. T e Women in Metalcast-


ing group usually meets at major industry events and brings together women interested in networking with others that share the same unique challenges and opportuni- ties. AFS has named Matticks liaison to that group. Contrary to popular


opinion, understanding the new generation is not im- possible. It may very well be uncomfortable at times (guilty), but, in general, they want what we wanted when we were that age: a challenge, an opportunity to make a diff erence and friends. AFS is bringing various groups together that have heretofore oper- ated independently. T e net result will be a self-sus- taining machine churning


out interested, talented individuals that will change the industry and the world for the better. Thank you for all you do for the industry. I wish for you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous 2017.


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