ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM ADDRESSES CHALLENGES IN

EXTRUSION INDUSTRYWestern Extrusions

Introduction One of North America’s most technologically advanced

extrusions lines, Western Extrusions employs a dedicated team of industry professionals and maintains a commitment to the continuing education of its workforce. Western Extrusions supports the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), which offers a variety of academic resources that include the Academic Outreach Program.

AEC’s Academic Outreach Program focuses on addressing two of the most significant challenges facing the aluminum extrusion industry: the acquisition of qualified talent and the shortcomings of graduate programs that fail to provide students with a full understanding of the extrusion process.

Extrusion Industry To achieve this mission, the program operates based on a

twofold goal designed to form solutions for both challenges. Program objectives also work to inspire and empower students, instructors and schools, and the overall extrusion industry. 

The first of the program’s goals involves providing the necessary resources and support to ensure that design and engineering students graduate with a basic understanding of fundamental concepts. Fundamental concepts include the extrusion process, product opportunities, and the benefits and design implementations of aluminum extrusions. Secondly, the program connects students with engaging and fast-paced career opportunities that transcend misconceptions regarding the manufacturing industry.