May 31, 2006 — The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Foundation’s “Ferrous Metallurgy Education Today,” or FeMET Initiative, which is aimed at attracting top talent to the North American steel industry, has moved to the next step of placing the first class of scholars as summer interns in various North American steel plants.

The first class of ten FeMET scholars, selected in June 2005, hail from the University of Alabama, University of Illinois, University of Missouri—Rolla, Michigan Technological University and McMaster University. Each scholar received a $5,000 grant toward their third year of study, which has now been completed, as well as a paid summer internship at a North American steel company. During their internships, the students will have the opportunity to experience the steel industry first-hand. When they return to school for their final year, each will receive an additional $5,000 tuition grant.

“These internships at steel plants in the U.S. and Canada will provide each scholar not only a practical insight into steel plant operations, but also the hands-on experience that we hope will lead to promising careers in our industry,” explained Ron Ashburn, Executive Director of AIST.

“The FeMET Initiative is beginning to address our needs for metallurgists and materials scientists,” Andrew G. Sharkey III, President and CEO of AISI said. “We hope the young men and women now beginning their internships will feel challenged by the opportunities offered by our industry. We look forward to their joining our ranks on a full time basis after graduation in Spring 2007.”

The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) was formed on Jan. 1, 2004, by the merger of the Iron & Steel Society and the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. AIST is an international technical association representing more than 9,000 iron and steel producers, their allied suppliers and related academia. The association is dedicated to advancing the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. The AIST Foundation seeks to attract young technology-oriented professionals to the industry by promoting the high-tech, diverse and well-paying natures of careers in modern steelmaking. For more information about AIST, visit www.aist.org.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 33 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent more than 75 percent of both U.S. and North American steel capacity. For more information, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org.