The Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) links students to career paths in industrial distribution through partnerships with local educators and employers.

The ICP benefits:

• Students, by providing a pathway to a career with good wages, benefits and a career progression.
• Community colleges, by developing courses and programs that meet local employer needs.
• Distributors and manufacturers, by providing a pipeline of qualified entry-level candidates and quality training for current employees.

Launch Your Career in Industrial Distribution!

Check out this video to learn more about the industrial distribution industry and the exciting careers available in the industry.

We hope you will post this video to your Web site and share it with others in your organizations. You may also use it show to students and other audiences as part of your awareness efforts. Whether you’re attending a recruiting event or career fair, speaking to a classroom of students or providing information to a broader audience like your local chamber of commerce, the video will help highlight the exciting careers available in industrial distribution.

You can link to the video on YouTube at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBGRuDH3lQs 

Industrial Careers Pathway launches new Web site

As part of its continued commitment to attract the next generation of new talent to industrial distribution, the Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) launched its new Web site in early October. The new http://www.industrialcareerspathway.org features facts and information about the industry, faces and voices of industrial distribution, and connects young adults with employers and career development opportunities.

“We are approaching a significant workforce deficit in North America. In order to ensure the long-term health of the industrial distribution industry, it’s essential to begin recruiting and developing the next generation workforce now,” said Terry Knight, director of channel development for SKF U.S.A. and member of the ICP Web Site Redesign Task Force. "The ICP Web site will be the first exposure many young adults will have to the industry. So we have designed it to provide all the information and resources they need to successfully pursue a career in our industry"

Visitors to the ICP Web site can choose from three main portals of entry: Discover Industrial Distribution, Launch Your Career and Get an Edge on the Competition. Highlights include:

• An employer database—searchable by company name, commodity line and location—to connect job seekers with employers.

• Video testimonials that offer profiles and personal stories about the benefits of working in industrial distribution.

• Facts and figures that demonstrate the scope of industrial distribution, career paths and salary information.

• Training resources offered by industry associations.

• A listing of four-year and two-year college programs and suggested coursework.

Many of the resources on the ICP Web site have been provided by the initiative’s six Alliance Partners: American Supply Association, Bearing Specialist Association, International Association of Plastics Distributors, ISA Educational Foundation, National Fluid Power Association and Power Transmission Distributors Association. In addition to providing online and traditional training programs to help young adults gain the necessary business and technical skills, they also have the option of adding member companies to the employer database.

“The involvement of the ICP Alliance Partners has ensured that the new ICP Web site is a well-rounded resource on industrial distribution,” said Phyllis Russell, ICP executive director. “This alliance is committed to delivering real solutions to fundamental workforce development challenges in the industrial distribution channel.”

In addition to content geared towards young adults, the ICP Web site offers information about the initiative and employer resources. Visit www.industrialcareerspathway.org to learn more.

ICP is supported by associations and organizations committed to the advancement of industrial distribution including six Alliance Partner organizations (ASA Education Foundation, Bearing Specialist Association, ISA Educational Foundation, International Association of Plastics Distribution, National Fluid Power Association and the Power Transmission Distributors Association) and four Alliance Supporters (The FPDA Motion + Control Network, HALO/HARDI, NAHAD and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors). In addition, more than 100 distributors and manufacturers across North America provide financial support and volunteer leadership.

The Industrial Careers Pathway is a multifaceted North American workforce initiative that addresses the need for a skilled industrial distribution and manufacturing sales and customer service workforce today and tomorrow. ICP links students and job seekers to career paths in industrial distribution and manufacturing through partnerships with local educators and employers.