The power transmission/motion control industry is a “hidden” industry. While the power transmission/motion control products manufactured and distributed are essential to keeping industry moving, those who will be the next generation of employee are unaware of the industry and the rewarding careers it provides. The Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) initiative — founded and funded by the PTDA Foundation — is taking steps to change that. 

And to help, 63 organizations and individuals have funded the PTDA Foundation’s Vanguard Campaign, making contributions of nearly $188,000 to kick-off the 2015 Fund Drive. These organizations are “in the vanguard” — leading the fundraising charge. By contributing to the PTDA Foundation as part of the Vanguard Campaign, these companies are taking a leading role in the movement to drive workers to the positions of sales and customer service in industrial distribution. Funding from Vanguard and other contributors helps ICP get in front of the industry’s future workforce through participation at career fairs, job fairs and technical tradeshows as well as through social media channels and the website at idcareers.org. The PTDA Foundation’s 2015 Fund Drive is now in progress and other companies, trade associations and individuals are also contributing every day to support the effort.

“We’ve received extraordinary support from the 2015 Vanguard contributions — 20 percent higher than last year. It is challenging for companies to recruit those employees who will replace the industry’s retirees. With the collective efforts of our member companies through ICP, we are making face-to-face connections with the 16-34 year olds who will be our field’s outstanding employees and future leaders,” said Barbara J. Ross, director of rotary seals at Garlock Sealing Technologies and president of the PTDA Foundation. “I encourage every company to support this initiative and I give my sincere thanks to all 63 organizations and individuals for their vanguard support of the PTDA Foundation and its key initiative, Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP).”