PTDA works to build awareness of industrial distribution careers

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, only those who work in the industry seem to be aware of the careers available. The Industrial Career Pathway (ICP) initiative—founded and significantly funded by the PTDA Foundation—is taking major steps to change that.  

And to help, 16 organizations have accepted the invitation to fund the PTDA Foundation’s Vanguard Campaign, making contributions of nearly $50,000 to kick-off the 2013 Fund Drive. These organizations are “in the vanguard” or 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 talented workers to the key positions of sales and customer service in industrial distribution. Funding from past Vanguard contributors helped developed a redesigned website at www.idcareers.org and the ICP Job Board at jobs.idcareers.org to demonstrate that distribution is hiring.

“The 2013 Vanguard contributions show us just how many companies understand the importance of reaching out, connecting with and preparing young people to become our industries’ outstanding employees and future leaders,” said Barbara J. Ross, vice president sales and marketing, Timken Drives LLC, and president of the PTDA Foundation. “I give my sincere thanks to all 16 organizations for supporting the PTDA Foundation and its key initiative – Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP).”

Among the contributors are:

Investor Contributors ($10,000 or more)
BDI Worldwide

Stakeholder Contributors ($5,000 – $9,999)
Gates Corporation
Rexnord Industries, LLC
SKF USA, Inc.

Benefactor Contributors ($2,500 – $4,999)
Baldor Electric Company
Bearing Service Inc.
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation
C&U Americas
Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation
Koyo Corporation of USA
Timken Drives LLC

Leadership Contributors ($1,000 – $2,499)
AMI Bearings, Inc.
General Bearing Service, Inc.
Hitachi Maxco Ltd.
IBT, Inc.
Lafert North America

The PTDA Foundation, whose work is funded by solely by donations, was founded in 1982 to enhance knowledge, education, professionalism and productivity within the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry.

The Foundation’s core initiative, Industrial Careers Pathway, is a collaboration of industrial distribution associations working together to bring tomorrow’s North American employees to the industrial distribution channel, develop programs to teach business and distribution basics and create affordable resources for current employee development.  

For more information or a complete list of donors, visit www.industrialcareerspathway.org.