Since the formation of the American Foundry Society (AFS) in 1896, education has been a priority. What began as an apprenticeship program in 1924 developed into the Training & Research Institute (T&RI) in 1956  (later becoming the Cast Metals Institute, or CMI, in 1973), which held its first classes in 1957.

And although the metalcasting industry has changed throughout the past 50 years, the mission of CMI, "to provide high quality metalcasting education" has not. The institute does so through the approximately 80 courses for more than 1,500 industry personnel each year.

The original training courses of AFS were focused on recruiting and retaining industry personnel. But by the end of World War II, there became a pressing need for better training and instruction as the demands on the industry grew. With the technology boom of the last several decades, it has become even more critical that up-to-date training be readily available.

CMI has adapted to meet the needs of the industry. Classes once held primarily at AFS are now taught at locations across the U.S. to help companies save in travel costs. In response to time issues, more classes also are offered via the internet.

The response from the industry has been a positive one, as the number of courses and students continues to rise each year.