CHICAGO — Who will fill the pipeline for jobs at industrial distribution (ID) companies in the years to come as Baby Boomers continue retiring in record numbers? Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) has determined those new workers will come from the Generation Y cohort (also known as Millennials) who have an aptitude for science, math and machinery, but may lack a four-year college degree. To help these people discover their ID career path, ICP was visible last month at two U.S. national events where right fit Millennials and their influencing parents, teachers and coaches were also present.
ICP program director Mary Jawgiel, along with ICP Ambassador Stacy Breland, Plumbers Supply, a member of ICP alliance partner American Supply Association, talked with over 500 potential future ID employees at the ICP booth at SkillsUSA in Louisville, KY. Breland said, "If anybody thinks the youth of today is no good, they need to come to something like this. These young people are ready to work and take on leadership roles in the future." Interested candidates were advised to visit IDCareers.org to apply for open positions at the only online job board specific to industrial distribution and to follow ICP’s social media channels as a way to stay connected. Their teachers, coaches and parents will be contacted to inquire about potential new opportunities to spread the word about incredibly rewarding careers in the industrial distribution field.
ICP also exhibited at the annual conference of the American School Counselor Association, where more than 300 school counselors stopped by the ICP booth to learn about the field of industrial distribution. They learned how ICP can help them connect their students to job openings at industrial distribution companies nationwide. ICP’s team follows up with each influencer/teacher to discover the potential for classroom presentation or career fair opportunities in their communities. Each opportunity is then matched with a volunteer ICP Ambassador who can participate to help spread the word about careers in the field.
In this manner, Rich Morrison, sales manager, Triumph Tool, a volunteer ICP Ambassador on behalf of Industrial Supply Association met and eventually hired Lucas.
"I was asked to attend the George Brown College Career Fair on behalf of ICP as a last minute substitute, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I arrived. I ended up speaking to about 50 kids throughout the day. Three were potential candidates, but Lucas stood out from the pack," said Morrison.
Lucas has been employed by Triumph Tool for over two months now. "I would recommend attending career fairs to both students and companies looking to hire skilled new workers. Thanks to George Brown, Triumph Tool and Industrial Careers Pathway, I am now well on my way to a more fulfilling and exciting career," Lucas added.
In addition to providing visibility about the incredibly rewarding entry-level careers in industrial distribution, ICP develops and delivers useful programs, services and tools to help industrial distributors recruit, on-board, hire, manage, train and retain Millennial employees. An example is the training program, Elements of Industrial Distribution, which is available at a discount for companies with membership in ICP partner associations. ICP also publishes the ICP Talent Tipsheet, a quick-read eblast to help with retaining and managing Millennial employees.
ICP is a multifaceted North American workforce initiative supported by an alliance of industry associations including American Supply Association, Industrial Supply Association Education Foundation, National Association of Chemical Distributors, National Association of Electrical Distributors, NAHAD-The Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution, NIBA-The Belting Association, 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 [email protected] or call +1.312.516.2100.
