Blackhawk Technical College and Scot Forge have spent years shaping a strong partnership, and now they’re heating things up even more.
With help from a $5,000 grant from the Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF), the College will expand opportunities for welding students to explore forging —a process that uses heat and force to shape solid metal—through hands-on experiences in the Student Welding Club and continued collaboration with key industry partner Scot Forge.
“There are not enough positive things that I could say about Blackhawk and our partnership,” said Kelly Crosby, Human Resources Business Partner at Scot Forge. “We're deeply committed to developing the local talent and strengthening the regional workforce.”
Blackhawk was recently named one of eight institutions nationwide to receive a $5,000 Forging Club Grant from FIERF, an organization dedicated to supporting the forging industry. While the College doesn’t currently offer a full forging program, the grant will allow welding students to gain exposure to basic forging processes using small-scale equipment housed in the Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC).
“We don’t have—and it would be difficult to support—a full forging program,” said Greg Phillips, Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Training and Technology at Blackhawk. “But this gives our students a fundamental understanding of metallurgy, metal shaping, and heat-treating processes. With enough interest and participation, we hope to see it grow.”
The funds will be used to purchase startup forging equipment, such as a furnace, tongs, and personal protective gear. Students will have opportunities to complete forging projects outside of class and participate in community events, all while expanding their knowledge of advanced manufacturing tools, techniques and career paths.
Scot Forge, a Spring Grove, Illinois-based company with a facility in Clinton, has long provided Blackhawk students with firsthand exposure to the forging industry. From customized training and apprenticeships to internships and career fairs, Scot Forge continues to serve as a key partner in workforce development.
“We partner with Blackhawk Technical College in a lot of different, meaningful ways to support our workforce development,” Crosby said. “Right now, students are learning about careers in areas such as forging, maintenance, machining, heat treat and NDE—positions that are essential within the forging industry.”
Scot Forge also offers apprenticeship opportunities in mechatronics, machining, diesel and heavy equipment, as well as internships for students pursuing IT-related programs.
“Together, we're creating real pathways to meaningful careers in manufacturing,” Crosby said.
More about the grant
A total of 13 schools applied for the grants in February. The Forging Industry Association encouraged its members to consider sponsoring the schools that did not receive grant funds. In addition to Blackhawk, the other seven schools awarded $5,000 grants include:
- Alfred University in Alfred, New York
- Decatur Eisenhower High School in Decatur, Illinois
- La Jolla Country Day High School in La Jolla, California
- The Putney School in Putney, Vermont
- SUNY College of Technology at Canton in Canton, New York
- University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut
- University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia
About FIERF
FIERF builds the future workforce by promoting the forging industry, awarding scholarships, identifying and sharing employment opportunities and encouraging participation in forging research and projects.
“FIERF had a strong interest in our philosophy of work-based learning and our study of its benefit to students and the interactive approach to teaching as opposed to the traditional classroom/lab standard,” Phillips said. “Aware of the National Science Foundation grant Blackhawk was awarded to study the two modalities, FIERF assisted us with funding for student workers and curriculum development to get the Manufacturing Automation Cell assembled and the first iteration off the ground.”
Established in 1961, FIERF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Operating as a “supporting organization” to the Forging Industry Association, the Foundation’s mission is to support the forging industry through technology development and education.