WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the launch of Foundry School, a new workforce program focused on advanced manufacturing, at an event Thursday in Washington.
Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg hosted the event at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, where officials were joined by university leaders and executives from the manufacturing and technology sectors.
Foundry School will offer 17 sessions across eight universities, combining academic instruction with lessons from executives in advanced manufacturing.
Stanford University developed the program’s core curriculum. 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 will also participate.
Seven regional sessions will begin in September and cover factory design, materials and supply chains, assembly-line engineering, plant economics, permitting and workforce development.
Stanford will host a 10-session core program beginning in January 2027. The curriculum will cover precision tooling, industrial automation, quality systems, digital manufacturing, capital equipment, energy, site selection and defense production.
The State Department said U.S. manufacturers could need an estimated 3.8 million skilled workers by 2033 across industries including semiconductors, defense and energy.
Foundry School is part of Pax Silica, a U.S.-led economic security initiative focused on strengthening supply chains and industrial capacity tied to artificial intelligence and other critical technologies.
The State Department said it plans to work with Congress to support participation from Pax Silica economies. Industry leaders from the United States and participating economies, including South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and India, are expected to take part in the program.
The initiative is designed to connect students and workers with companies involved in building and operating advanced manufacturing facilities.
