Cast In Steel and Build Freedom Inspire Next Generation of Advanced Manufacturers

The Department of War (DoW) and the Steel Founders’ Society of America are turning the Cast In Steel competition into a TV show where college teams from across the country design, cast, and battle-test a fully functional steel creation – showcasing the innovation and grit that unites the next generation of makers with the masters of America’s steel casting industry. Cast In Steel Season 1 will premiere on YouTube at 8 p.m. ET on July 9.

Photo Credit: Cast In Steel

The premiere of Cast In Steel aligns with the launch of a new workforce recruitment campaign – Build Freedom. Its mission is simple. Build the workforce that builds and defends America, power the nation’s defense industrial base, and revive the skilled trades.

To maximize the reach of the Cast In Steel premiere and the BuildFreedom.us campaign across the manufacturing industry, we encourage our member organizations to support these initiatives in the following ways.

Promote Cast In Steel

Share your favorite trailer videos on your social media channels to create interest in the season premiere. It is recommended to post one video per week in the lead-up to the July 9 premiere.

Some helpful tips:

  • Access Cast In Steel trailer videos and other assets HERE. Post your favorites on each of your social media platforms.
  • In each post include the hashtag #CastInSteel, along with the link to the Cast In Steel YouTube Channel, youtube.com/@CastinSteel. Encourage your followers to subscribe.
  • On your last teaser post, preferably on July 8 or 9, encourage people to watch the premier at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9nrlzGLOmk
  • Utilize sample social media messaging HERE or something similar to spread interest in the premiere.
    • Example: Cast it. Test it. Win it. Cast In Steel shows the next generation of metal casters turning design, teamwork, and steel into something awesome. Watch the premiere on July 9 at 8 p.m. ET on YouTube: youtube.com/@CastinSteel #castinsteel

Sign up for the National Labor Exchange: 

On July 2, the DoW will launch Build Freedom, its workforce recruitment campaign, at BuildFreedom.us. The DoW has paid for the posting of jobs on the National Labor Exchange (NXL).  Member companies are encouraged to post their job opportunities on the NLX on or before July 2, prior to the campaign’s formal launch the week of July 4. The DoW will expend significant resources directing the public to this website and encourages the manufacturing industry to take advantage of this opportunity.

  • To post your jobs on the NLX, visit, https://jobs.usnlx.com/indexingrequest.asp?phase=3&state=wi
  • Note: This is the site for the state of Wisconsin. All other states will need to modify this link by changing the last two letters of this web address to the two-letter abbreviation for their state.

Print and Hang Cast In Steel Posters:

To further support promotions, print and hang the 11”x17” formatted posters provided HERE in your facilities through the run of the first season.

Invite Local Media:

Finally, invite your local media for an on-site visit during the week of July 6 to discuss the career opportunities available in manufacturing. Encourage viewers to visit the BuildFreedom.us website to find free training opportunities, trade school scholarship opportunities and explore the job opportunities around the nation. Also, encourage them to check out Cast In Steel!