Industrial distribution trade association members present to business school students

Alliance Partners of Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) recently met in Denver to plan for the future and talk with students from the University of Colorado Denver Business School about the incredibly rewarding careers in industrial distribution.

Jay Wilson, Plumbing Distributors, Inc., ASA member, tells students at University of Colorado Denver Business School about his career path. Photo: Industrial Careers Pathway, Ginger Wheeler

Presenting to the students were:

· Terry Knight, retired, SKF USA Inc., PTDA Foundation

· Curtis Sprague, Branham Corporation-Mt. Empire Rubber Co., NAHAD—The Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution

· Bill Squires, SMC Electric, National Association of Electrical Distributors Education & Research Foundation

· Tribby Warfield, Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation, PTDA Foundation

· Jay Wilson, Plumbing Distributors, Inc., American Supply Association.

Together, these five industry-leading executives talked about their careers and success in the distribution sector and encouraged about 30 students to seek careers in the field. Students asked provocative questions about energy efficiency, bottom line profit management, flexibility of movement within the industry and variety of job opportunities. The presenters, along with other Alliance Partner representatives, were in Denver for the ICP Steering Committee meeting where they discussed ICP’s progress in meeting its goal of creating awareness of industrial distribution among 16 to 24 year olds.

Alliance Partner Jennifer Rzepka, CAE, Executive Director, NIBA—The Belting Association, attended the meeting along with Jim Smith, Universal Belting Resource, who serves on ICP’s Millennial Advisory Council (MAC). Rzepka commented, “Finding talented and committed employees is one of the most common pain points for NIBA members. As an association, we value the opportunity to spend our time and resources to help shape the future of the industrial distribution workforce through our involvement in Industrial Careers Pathway.”

Curtis Sprague, Branham Corporation-Mt. Empire Rubber Co., NAHAD member, advises students on the many incredibly rewarding career opportunities in industrial distribution. Photo: Industrial Careers Pathway, Ginger Wheeler.

Millennial Advisory Council members and association executives from each of the Alliance Partners also participated in the meeting.

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 that helps employers with retaining and managing Millennial employees.

Industrial Careers Pathway | www.industrialcareerspathway.org