NFFS conducts workforce development program kickoff meeting

On Monday, September 9, 2024, the Non-Ferrous Founders' Society (NFFS) hosted the eagerly anticipated kickoff meeting for its new Talent Pipeline Program (TPP). The program is a free, in-plant workforce development program designed to assist foundries with identifying new sources of employees, implementing proper candidate screening and fit testing, providing a world-class onboarding experience, and ultimately leading to improved recruitment and retention numbers for new employees.

The meeting included more than 30 representatives across more than 24 member foundries, all coming together to discuss how the TPP can be seamlessly integrated into their workforce recruitment and retention strategies. NFFS member foundries that were unable to attend the September 9th meeting but may still be interested in participating in the TPP program should contact jerrod@nffs.org no later than Friday, September 13th.

The session provided a detailed briefing on the TPP’s mission, the mechanics of its implementation, and the status of the program’s Talent Acquisition & Retention (TA&R) data. The feedback from the meeting was exceptionally positive, with more than 75% of attendees expressing their interest in adopting the program as part of the 2024-2026 class of participants. 

This robust endorsement from our membership provides the support required to establish NFFS as an official partner of the TPP for the 2024-2026 class. NFFS Executive Director Jerrod Weaver will serve as the NFFS TPP program leader and is actively recruiting a new Network Coach staff member to help support the program. NFFS is actively preparing for the NFFS TPP Kickoff, slated for November 14, 2024, in Washington D.C.

NFFS plans to include as many as 20 member foundries with its inaugural TPP class, and to scale up the program to help even more employers beginning in June of 2025.

Since its establishment in 1943 to help foundries secure critical supplies during WWII, NFFS has continued to uphold its commitment to support America's foundry leaders. Today, with many members serving as vital suppliers to the Defense Industrial Base, the Society's focus on education, advocacy, and community engagement remains more relevant than ever.

For additional information about the Talent Partnership Program, visit https://www.nffs.org/news/new-nffs-program-will-offer-free-on-site-workforce-development-consulting.