Winona State Partners with IACMI and ACE to Address Regional Industry Needs

WINONA, Minn. (March 25, 2025) – Winona State University will partner with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) to support advanced composites manufacturing training that aligns with the needs of the regional industry and supports the U.S. Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program. 

The groundbreaking new partnership with IACMI designates Winona State as the first composites hub in the national, IACMI-managed America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) program, and highlights WSU’s commitment to enhancing workforce development, advancing community and student benefit, and supporting the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing. 

This partnership will fund free, hands-on bootcamps that teach advanced skills in composites manufacturing and provide valuable opportunities for current Winona State students, alumni, and other area students. 2025 bootcamps will be held June 2–6, July 7–11, and Aug. 4–8 on the Winona State campus. 

The bootcamps will focus on Composites in Automotive, one of several ACE Composites units, and will serve as a key resource for students seeking to gain valuable skills in a growing industry. Participants will connect with national experts in the field and learn directly from those at the forefront of U.S. manufacturing innovation. The program is designed to engage individuals from diverse educational backgrounds, including those with no prior experience in manufacturing.  

“This partnership represents a monumental step forward for Winona State University, our students, and our community,” said Eric Kerr-Anderson, Associate Professor of Composite Materials Engineering at Winona State. ”Not only will this partnership provide hands-on experience and advanced manufacturing training to students, it also enhances our university’s role as a hub of innovation, creating new career opportunities and strengthening our local economy.” 

The partnership with IACMI will fund the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment that can be used by both Winona State students and bootcamp participants. In addition, as part of the ACE initiative, WSU will hire student employees to gain hands-on experience working with this cutting-edge equipment, preparing them for careers in advanced manufacturing. 

“Our partnership with Winona State University and the ACE program is a pivotal investment in workforce development,” said Dr. Uday Vaidya, Chief Technology Officer, IACMI. ”Through this initiative, we are building a sustainable, diverse workforce equipped with the skills needed to thrive in modern manufacturing careers.” 

This new ACE hub adds to a growing network of workforce development centers dedicated to advancing U.S. manufacturing. To date, over 13,000 people have registered for an ACE online course and more than 2,900 students have completed an in-person bootcamp, all at no cost to participants. 

Interested students, alumni, and community members can register for the bootcamps and find out more information about the program by visiting the registration page.