While searching for new workers to fill the pipeline for jobs at industrial distribution (ID) companies in the years to come, Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) determined that new workers will come from Generation Y (also known as Millennials) who have an aptitude for science, math and machinery, but may lack a 4-year college degree. 

To help these people discover their ID career path, ICP recently attended two U.S. national events. ICP program director Mary Jawgiel, along with ICP ambassador Stacy Breland of 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. 

“If anybody thinks the youth of today is no good, they need to come to something like this,” Breland said. “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 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 addition to providing visibility about 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 e-blast to help with retaining and managing Millennial employees.