Two Ellwood National Forge employees - Michael Ciprich and Austin Gourley - have completed a 600-hour training program aimed at enhancing their defense industry work. Pictured, from left, are Greg Cameron, vice president of operations, Abe Bigelow, training manager, Ciprich, Gourley and Michael Ciprich Sr.

Two Ellwood National Forge employees recently completed a 600-hour training course aimed at enhancing their defense industry work.

Austin Gourley and Michael Ciprich, Jr., completed the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program which spans four months and is held in Danville, Virginia.

A statement from the company states that the program allowed the men to learn “from top experts in the defense manufacturing industry and has “enhanced the skills critical to their career development and ENF will benefit as employees continue to build upon their knowledge and skills as a team.”

A celebration was held recently to recognize the accomplishment, which wrapped up in August.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for Austin and Michael, and we applaud the commitment shown to advancing in their career with Ellwood National Forge,” Greg Cameron, vice president of operations, said.

“The ATDM program is a great educational opportunity for our team members providing them with nationally recognized credentials that will benefit our entire team moving forward.”

According to the company, the program specifically focuses on helping participants make an “immediate impact in the defense industrial base” – the system of companies that produce parts purchased by the U.S. military.

Focus areas include additive manufacturing, non-destructive testing, CNC machining, quality control inspection and welding.

“Gourley and Ciprich each earned several machining certificates through the course that is a mixture of classroom and hands-on learning,” the company said.