Alliance Partners of Industrial Careers Pathway® (ICP) met recently in Chicago, Ill., to plan strategies to raise awareness about the incredibly rewarding careers in industrial distribution.
In attendance were representatives who are employees from the following association member companies:
- Tribby Warfield, Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation (ICP Steering Committee Chair)
- Jess Covington, Primary Chemicals
- Lindsey Hessey, Holmbury Inc.
- Jon Hirsch, Auer Steel & Heating Supply Co.,
- Laura Hoggan, Rubber & Plastics Inc.
- Pamela Kan, Bishop Wisecarver Group
- Sarah Musser, Bartlett Bearing Co., Inc.
- Bill Sauter, OHARCO
- Bill Squires, SMC Electric
Accompanying their distributor company members were representatives from the following trade associations which are ICP Alliance Partners:
- ASA - American Supply Association
- HARDI - Heating Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International
- NACD - National Association of Chemical Distributors
- NAED - National Association of Electrical Distributors
- NAHAD - The Association for Hose and Accessories
- NBMDA - North American Building Material Distribution Association
- PTDA Foundation
The two-day conference allowed members and trade association representatives the opportunity to discuss current initiatives and brainstorm ways to build awareness of industrial distribution careers in local communities across North America.
Recently, ICP has been helping members participate in local career fairs and in-school events to address classrooms full of “right-fit” students. ICP also educates employers on how to be a visible presence in their communities through offering company tours, open houses and internships. In 2016, ICP introduced Team ID, a quiz and video series featuring distribution “Superheros” who swoop in to save the day with quick thinking and great customer service. Distributors and schools are invited to use these materials to educate young people about careers in industrial distribution and raise awareness of the field in a positive light.
Jon Hirsh, director of business development, Auer Steel & Heating Supply Co., a member of HARDI, said, “I think employers are missing out on the opportunity to use the resources being made available to them by ICP to find, assess and recruit good people to work in industrial distribution. I left the meeting in Chicago with much enthusiasm, knowing the mission and objectives of ICP are the same as employers in this space to find and retain good people in a difficult hiring environment. ICP has some awesome resources that can help everyone in the distribution industry.”
©IndustrialCareersPathway® (ICP) Pictured left to right: Front row: Mary Jawgiel, Laura Hoggan, Sarah Musser; Middle row: Amber Siple, Pamela Kan, Kat Cooper, Amy Luckado, Tribby Warfield, Jon Hirsch, Bryan White, Bill Sauter, Vince Moulden, Lindsey Hessey, Emily Saving, Ann Arnott, Allison Olden; Back row: Bill Squires, Jess Covington
For more information, please contact:
Ginger Wheeler, Director, Marketing & Communications
+1.312.516.2100
IndustrialCareersPathway.org/Hire
Industrial Careers Pathway®, (ICP) is a multifaceted North American workforce initiative supported by an alliance of industry associations including American Supply Association, Heating Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International, Industrial Supply Association, National Association of Chemical Distributors, National Association of Electrical Distributors, NAHAD—The Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution, NIBA—The Belting Association, North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) and PTDA Foundation. ICP links students and job seekers to career paths in industrial distribution and manufacturing through partnerships with local educators and employers. For more information, visit www.IndustrialCareersPathway.org/Hire, contact ICP at info@industrialcareerspathway.org or call +1.312.516.2100.
