The UNT College of Engineering and Texas A&M SecureAmerica Institute are collaborating to offer the America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) Machine Tool Workforce Development Program for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

ACE is supported by the U.S. Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program from the Office of Industrial Policy.

The initiative was launched in 2020 to reestablish American leadership in the machine tool industry through transformative thinking, technology innovation and workforce development.

The program uses online coursework and hands-on machining camps to connect top national experts with students such as John Creley (right) and incumbent industrial workers from all backgrounds, levels of education and work experience.

Hector Siller-Carrillo,a mechanical engineering assistant professor, is leading the ACE bootcamps at UNT’s Discovery Park.

“The most important thing is to cultivate curiosity in students,” Siller-Carrillo says. “Since the ACE program is very engaging, they’ll be more interested in learning practical applications.”