Chicago, IL — The Industrial Careers Pathway® (ICP) Steering Committee held its annual retreat in Rosemont, IL in mid-July. ICP’s Steering Committee reviewed its current strategic plan and refined its action goals and progress metrics and developed a new three-year plan to advance ICP’s mission: to meet the need for a skilled industrial distribution workforce for today and tomorrow, a workforce that will be challenged by an expected demographic shift.
The ICP Steering Committee is composed of associates from the staff and membership of ICP’s Alliance Partner organizations; trade associations and companies dedicated to fostering industrial distribution. Alliance Partner member associations include: American Supply Association, Industrial Supply Association Education Foundation, NAHAD – the Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution and the Power Transmission Distributors Association Foundation.
“We are well aware that the field of industrial distribution is not one that is well known by the general public, so part of our work is to create awareness of what this job is among 18 – 34 year olds,” said ICP Steering Committee Chair, Terry Knight, Director, Strategic Sales & Business Development at SKF USA, Inc. “It’s the Millennials that will be needed to maintain future productivity, but even now they need to know that there are incredibly rewarding careers in industrial distribution out there, many of which don’t require college degrees,” continued Knight. “We are leveraging our resources to reach the greatest number of potential new employees and their influencers through social media, advertising and attending conventions and career fairs. We are putting our plans into action with a new ground game.”
As part of ICP’s efforts a corps of ICP Ambassadors will be attending career fairs and visiting secondary schools and community/technical colleges in their local areas to put a face on the field of industrial distribution. In addition to this strong local push, ICP accepts job postings on its ICP Job Board and provides a training vehicle for individuals to learn more about the field through the online and print versions of Elements of Industrial Distribution. Additionally job seekers can find tips on finding a job in the field of industrial distribution through the weekly ID Job Hunting Minute video series and employers can find insights into dealing with their Millennial employees with the monthly e-newsletter ICP Talent Tipsheet. Details are available on the ICP website www.industrialcareerspathway.org/Hire.
Through the collective support of Alliance Partners and their member companies, ICP is devoted to building awareness among the 18-34 year old audience about the incredibly rewarding careers available in industrial distribution.
