When young people with the skill sets and ambition industrial distributors seek as their next generation of workers gather en masse, Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) works to make sure they know about the “incredibly rewarding” careers awaiting them when the time is right. Such were the students from Generations Y and Z, (with their aptitude for science, math and machinery, but potentially no plans for a four-year college degree), who were present at SkillsUSA recently in Louisville, Kentucky. ICP was onsite with three volunteer ICP Ambassadors from two companies to spread the word about the business of industrial distribution (ID). To help SkillsUSA participants discover how their own personality would lend itself to a career path in ID, ICP introduced its TEAM ID superheroes to right-fit students and their influencing parents, teachers and coaches to much fanfare. 

ICP Program Director Mary Jawgiel was joined at Skills USA for a second consecutive year by ICP Ambassador Stacy Breland, Plumbers Supply, a member of ICP Alliance Partner American Supply Association. In addition, Bruce Beam and Sarah McGuire, Air Hydro Power, a member of ICP Alliance Partner NAHAD-The Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution signed up as ICP Ambassadors and spent some time at SkillsUSA. All volunteered to talk with SkillsUSA participants about their own career paths and the benefits of working in industrial distribution at ICP’s SkillsUSA Booth.

  

Beam said, "The Team ID Superhero quiz and T-shirts exceeded our wildest expectations. We were able to personally interact with over 500 students during our time at SkillsUSA. Because of the fun quiz and T-shirt giveaway, and the students’ enthusiasm to share with their friends, I believe they will remember ID when they are ready for careers." 

The Team ID Superhero quiz also connects quiz-takers to IDCareers.org where they can link to the only online job board specific to industrial distribution and ICP’s social media channels as a way to stay connected. Influencers, such as teachers, coaches and parents, were also very enthusiastic about the quiz and t-shirt giveaway. ICP follows up with the appropriate influencers to schedule new opportunities to spread the word about incredibly rewarding careers in the industrial distribution field.

As part of a years-long initiative to help influencers spread the word about ID careers and connect their students to job openings at industrial distribution companies across North America, ICP has been working with influencer groups to coordinate speaking opportunities, company tours and internships. To date, over twenty opportunities are awaiting volunteers in local communities to assist. In this way, ICP Ambassadors can help spread the word about careers in the field of industrial distribution in their local communities, nationwide.

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 Gen Y and Z 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 free quick-read eblast to help industrial distributors retain and manage employees recruited and hired from Generations Y and Z. 

ICP is a multifaceted North American workforce initiative supported by an alliance of industry associations including American Supply Association, Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International, Industrial Supply Association, National Association of Chemical Distributors, National Association of Electrical Distributors, NAHAD-The Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution, NIBA-The Belting Association, North American Building Material Distribution Association and PTDA Foundation.