Workforce Development

AIST is giving steel professionals the tools they need to succeed

AIST’s mission is to advance the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. To fulfill this mission, AIST is committed to investing in the education and professional development of the people of iron and steel that are going to bring forth these technical advancements. The iron and steel industry simply cannot get better if its people aren’t also learning and growing.
 
AIST offers many programs and events that contribute to the workforce development of the entire iron and steel industry — no matter if you are a student, a young professional, new to the industry or an experienced veteran, there’s opportunities for you to enrich your knowledge and grow your understanding in every aspect of steel manufacturing.
 
Check out the different platforms that AIST has established for all levels of steel professionals to benefit from by paving the way for networking, education, training, mentoring, hands-on experience and more.
 

Professional Membership

• Technology Committees — Unique groups of AIST members that are focused on all technical disciplines for steel manufacturing for training, education and technology innovation.

• Member Chapters — Geographically-based member groups that offer local networking and education opportunities for iron and steel professionals. 

• Technology Training — Comprehensive curriculum of fundamental and advanced training programs that address specific process, engineering, equipment, and reliability technologies associated with the global iron and steel industry.

• AISTech — North America’s largest annual iron and steel technology conference and exposition. AISTech brings the steel industry together in one place for one week and is an amazing opportunity to network, learn the latest technology advancements and find solutions to your challenges.

• AIST Resource Center — A web-based, electronic tool with seemingly endless access to iron and steel technical content — articles, statistics, publications and more. Members are eligible for 100 downloads per year, so you can level up your knowledge and research in just one click.

• Study Tours — Unique learning opportunity to get both an up-close and international perspective of iron and steel. Join an AIST Technology Committee and tour steel facilities around the world to get a front-row seat to their steel manufacturing processes.

• Iron & Steel Technology — The official monthly publication of AIST. Members receive an annual subscription to the premier technical journal for steel manufacturing dedicated to providing its readers with the latest information on breakthroughs and trends in the international iron- and steelmaking industry.

• Webinars — Cutting-edge innovation and insight from producers, suppliers and academia delivered right to your desktop during AIST’s steel industry webinars.

• AIST Employment Board — A searchable database where you can browse current steel industry job listings or search based on specific criteria.

Student Membership

through the Material Advantage Program

• Steel to Students Training Program — Covers the full cost of registration and up to US$600 in travel reimbursement (per conference) for post-secondary vocational/technical school students, undergraduate and graduate-level students to attend AIST’s Technology Training Conferences and AIST Member Chapter annual meetings that include a technical program.

• Internships and Scholarships — Materials science and engineering students based in North America may apply to earn a paid summer internship or co-op at a North American steel-related company followed by a US$7,500 scholarship.

• Plant Tours — AIST can assist university professors and/or students in connecting with staff at a regional steel plant to schedule a tour. The AIST Foundation will reimburse up to US$1,500 for travel expenses (transportation and food services) associated with plant tours.

• Pizza Grants — Students at universities and post-secondary trade/technical schools that offer coursework relevant to the steel industry are eligible for funding from the AIST Foundation to cover the cost of snacks and refreshments at a meeting — up to US$150 in funding is available each semester per school.

• Resume Coaching — Receive feedback on your resume from a steel industry professional for free. This useful tool is a great way to confirm students are well-prepared when applying for an internship or job opportunity at a steel-related company.

• Young Professionals and Student Mentor Program — Apply and get paired with young steel professionals to engage in a conversation regarding career guidance and resume coaching.

• Contests — AIST offers a number of contests for undergraduate and graduate students each year including the Real Steel Video Contest and contests at AISTech, Steel’s #1 Conference and Exposition. Learn more about these opportunities to earn big cash prizes today!

• Recruiting Opportunities — The AIST Foundation hosts a Steel to Students Recruiting Reception at our annual conferences, AISTech and MS&T. Connect with human resource personnel of steel-related companies looking for young talent to fill their current open positions.

Young Professional Membership

Members <30 years of age

• Free First Year of Membership — The AIST Foundation sponsors a free first year of membership and a discounted membership every year after that until the Young Professional turns 31.

• Registration Discounts — Young Professionals receive 50% off technical conference registration to AISTech, Steel’s #1 Conference and Exposition.

• Unique Training Opportunities — Virtual and in-person programs designed specifically for Young Professionals including introductory webinars, soft skills training and networking mixers.

Academia

• Grants — AIST has established a number of grant opportunities, so we may assist with professors’ steel-focused curriculum development, fund steel research and help build a closer working relationship with steel industry professionals.

• University-Industry Relations Roundtable (UIRR) — AIST looks to foster relationships and open communication between our university network and the steel industry. To fulfill this goal, we host a biannual roundtable that brings together university faculty, AIST board members, and human resource and talent acquisition personnel of steel-related companies at our annual conferences, AISTech and MS&T.

Human Resource Personnel

• Complimentary Membership — AIST offers free membership to human resources personnel from steel and steel-related companies.

• Private Access — AIST manages and shares an up-to-date Student Resume Board with hiring personnel from steel and steel-related companies.