Since 2016, A. W. Bell and Pittsburg State University have forged a strong partnership in the realm of education and industry collaboration. This partnership, created between CEO Sam Bell and Prof. Russ Romait has created a platform for students from Pittsburg State to gain hands-on experience and develop their skills in the manufacturing and casting industry through a six-month internship programme, here in Australia. The journey of this collaborative effort has not only benefited the individual students but has also contributed to the growth and success of both A. W. Bell and Pittsburg State University.

The partnership has been instrumental in nurturing and shaping the next generation of manufacturing leaders. It provides students with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the complexities of the manufacturing and casting industry, and apply their academic learning in a real-world setting. This exposure to industry best practices equips them with a competitive edge and prepares them for successful careers in the field.

Pittsburg State student Nathan Minuth has been interning at A.W. Bell since January 2023 and will complete his stay in Australia in late June. Currently in his last semester of a Bachelor of Architectural Manufacturing with a Minor in Manufacturing, he was set up with the internship by Romait late last year and has enjoyed every second of his time at A.W. Bell. Nathan has worked on a wide variety of processes and projects, with his favourite being the melting and pouring of metal. He has also expressed the importance of the soft skills he has learned while being in a team, or, as he puts it, “the value of speaking the same language”.

Nathan will be travelling around Tasmania throughout the final weeks of his trip and will be going back to the US to complete a Masters in Technology Management, while also teaching a CAM class as a graduate assistant.