Trump Administration Launches ‘Foundry School’ Initiative to Rebuild America’s Manufacturing Workforce

Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the launch of the Foundry School, a comprehensive training program designed for entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians, and industrial leaders to bolster American manufacturing. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg hosted the announcement at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, attended by university presidents, senior academic leaders from partner institutions, and chief executives from leading manufacturing and technology firms.

Putting American Workers First

President Trump’s reindustrialization agenda has already attracted trillions of dollars in industrial investment on American soil. The Foundry School aims to convert this massive capital influx into high-value employment opportunities. With American manufacturers projected to require approximately 3.8 million skilled workers by 2033 across critical sectors such as semiconductors, defense, and energy, the program is designed to address this urgent skills gap. The State Department, in collaboration with Congress, plans to facilitate the participation of Pax Silica partner economies in the initiative and is partnering with Stanford University to develop a robust curriculum tailored for both domestic and international participants. By collaborating closely with Pax Silica economies, Foundry School seeks to foster mutual opportunities in industries vital to national and economic security.

A Historic Workforce Development Program

The Foundry School is underpinned by a pioneering advanced manufacturing curriculum developed by Stanford University. This curriculum features foundational lectures from seven major collaborating institutions: Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kansas, Vanderbilt University, and Washington University in St. Louis. Spanning these eight prestigious campuses, the program will deliver seventeen specialized sessions, each instructed by founders and chief executives from cutting-edge manufacturing enterprises. These industry leaders will be sourced from across the United States and key Pax Silica participants—including the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and India—ensuring comprehensive coverage of the strategies required to establish and operate a world-class manufacturing enterprise.

Cutting Edge Curriculum

Designed to bridge critical gaps in design and manufacturing capacity, the Foundry School curriculum will be executed in two distinct phases. The first phase consists of seven regional sessions commencing in September 2026, hosted by Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kansas, Vanderbilt University, and Washington University in St. Louis. These sessions will cover core operational fundamentals, including modern factory design, materials and supply chain management, assembly-line engineering, plant economics, regulatory compliance, permitting, and large-scale workforce development. The second phase features a ten-session advanced core program hosted by Stanford University, starting in January 2027. This phase will build upon the foundational knowledge with advanced manufacturing capabilities, such as precision tooling, industrial automation, quality systems, new product introduction, digital manufacturing, capital equipment planning, energy management, global site selection, and defense production. The program will culminate in a capstone session analyzing lessons learned from failed manufacturing ventures. Together, these seventeen sessions constitute a unique, industry-driven curriculum.

A Flagship Initiative of Pax Silica

The Foundry School is a flagship initiative of Pax Silica, the Trump Administration’s economic security partnership connecting governments, industry, and universities to strengthen the critical supply chains and industrial capabilities that underpin the AI economy. Foundry School connects students and workers directly with the companies building and operating advanced manufacturing facilities.

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