Episode Details

The Industrial Talk podcast episode, sponsored by the Propane Education and Research Council, features a discussion with Bradley White from Penn State's METAL program. The program, which stands for Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Trade, Apprenticeship, and Learning, aims to train the next generation of workers in foundry skills. White, with 32 years of industry experience, is helping to establish a foundry lab at Penn State Barron, expected to be operational by 2027-2028. The program, funded by the Department of Defense, is expanding nationwide, with schools like Ohio State, Tennessee, and Purdue joining. The initiative emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world skills to inspire future industrial leaders.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk

• Scott introduces the episode of Industrial Talk, sponsored by the Propane Education and Research Council, highlighting their commitment to safety, training, and innovative propane-powered technology.
• Scott expresses gratitude to listeners and highlights the importance of celebrating industry professionals who innovate, collaborate, and solve problems daily.
• Scott mentions broadcasting from Penn State University, specifically the Barron campus, and introduces the acronym METAL, which stands for metallurgy, metallurgical engineering, trade, apprenticeship, and learning.

Visit to Erie, Pennsylvania, and Foundries

• Scott describes a visit to Erie, Pennsylvania, with Bradley White, highlighting the city's historical significance in foundries and manufacturing.
• Scott and Brad discuss visiting various foundries, including one that melts and pours both bronze and aluminum.
• Scott expresses amazement at the hands-on experience for students at the foundries, emphasizing the importance of practical learning.
• Brad explains the role of industrial partners in Erie in providing hands-on experiences for students until a lab is built on campus.

Development of the Foundry Lab at Penn State

• Brad shares his background, including 32 years in the industry and his role in building the foundry lab at Penn State Barron.
• Scott inquires about the timeline for the foundry lab, and Speaker 3 explains that the furnace equipment is in Erie, with a temporary space being readied for installation.
• Brad mentions the support from local manufacturing and the Department of Defense initiative to train the next generation of workers.
• Scott highlights the program's reach, including students from California, and its focus on boundary work.

Impact and Future of the METAL Program

• Brad discusses the METAL program's three-year contract and its expansion to other schools, including Ohio State University, Tennessee, Cal Poly, Michigan Tech, and Purdue University.
• Scott emphasizes the importance of the program in inspiring the next generation of industrial leaders and the need for support from industrial companies.
• Speaker 3 shares his passion for the foundry industry and the importance of real-world experience for engineers.
• Scott and Brad discuss the efficiency and sophistication of modern foundries and the need to inspire students through practical experiences.

Generational Influence and Community Support

• Scott and Brad discuss the generational influence in the foundry industry, with many foundry owners having family members who have worked in the industry.
• Brad shares his personal experience of being inspired by his family's involvement in manufacturing and his own career in the foundry industry.