Justin Brooks, David Roberson, and Greg Harrell Are Giving Americans Their First Hands-On Experience Making Metal

🎙️ Tool or Die welcomes three fine gentlemen from IACMI – The Composites Institute, who are leading national efforts to rebuild America’s manufacturing workforce from the ground up. Justin Brooks oversees workforce development initiatives like America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) and METAL, programs designed to tackle the skilled labor shortage in machining, casting, and forging. David Roberson, a Marine Corps veteran and ACE’s lead instructor, shares his personal story of transition from the military to machining—and how he’s helping others do the same. And Greg Harrell, Workforce Coordinator for METAL, brings decades of experience in precision engineering and technical education to connect schools, veterans, and industry.TIMESTAMPS:* 00:00 Introduction to IACMI and the METAL program* 06:00 From DOD bombs to boot camps—Justin’s story* 11:00 David’s transition from the Marines to machining* 18:00 How the ACE and METAL programs actually work* 24:00 The hands-on appeal of pouring real molten metal* 30:00 Changing perceptions about dirty jobs and skilled trades* 36:00 How students and veterans are finding purpose in manufacturing* 43:00 What’s next for IACMI and nationwide manufacturing trainingKey Topics:* Why machining, casting, and forging are critical to defense reshoring* How short boot camps are giving veterans and students career-launching skills* The DOD’s role in scaling workforce training programs nationwide* Fixing the broken pipeline between education and skilled industrial jobs* Why “dirty” doesn’t mean dead-end—and why Gen Z is starting to get it* The unexpected power of making something real with your own hands👉 Learn more: iacmi.org | americascuttingedge.org | MetalforAmerica.orgTOOL OR DIE is produced by Johnson & Roy (Johnson-Roy.com), a strategic advisory firm focused on technology, mobility, manufacturing, and robotics. Your hosts are Joel Johnson, tech media veteran behind Gizmodo, Jalopnik, and Wirecutter, and Alex Roy, General Partner at New Industry Venture Capital (NIVC.us) and a longtime voice in autonomy and transportation.Follow them:* LinkedIn: alexroy | joeljohnson* X: @alexroy144 | @joeljohnson* Web: johnson-roy.com Get full access to TOOL or DIE at www.toolordie.com/subscribe