This issue, we highlight four women who achieved success on the shop floor (see page 20). They’re also encouraging young women in high school to follow a similar career path. It’s about educating and ensuring the message gets out.Every effort helps. The Chicago, IL-based Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) Foundation must also be congratulated for its solid work with the Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) program in Canada.

Together with more than 20 associations, representing the industrial distribution channel and two regional development organizations, the not-for-profit PTDA Foundation-led ICP partner alliance is working to: actively promote careers in the industrial distribution channel; develop community college programs to teach business, technical and distribution basics to new and experienced employees; help distributors and manufacturers enhance how they hire, train and promote workers.

Mohawk College in Hamilton, ON, became the first Canadian ICP pilot site in February 2005.With industry champions from the PTDA and ElectroFed Canada, the site has attracted strong support, including an advisory committee that consists of more than 20 distributors and manufacturers of electrical, fluid power, power transmission and computer hardware products.

Committee members are currently hosting “lunch and learn” events to promote the applied sales and management post-graduate certificate to current and pending graduates of Mohawk College technology programs. In September 2005, an industry launch meeting introduced the British Columbia Institute ofTechnology (BCIT) and ICP initiative to more than 30 Vancouver-area industrial distributors and manufacturers.

An advisory committee of B.C. distributors and manufacturers of plastics, electrical, power transmission and motion control products began to review curriculum and outline the program at its first meeting late last year. Since 2005, the PTDA Foundation’s fund drive raised more than US$250,000 with Canadian donations totalling more than US$30,000 from companies, such as BDI Canada Inc., Canadian Bearings Ltd.,Kinecor LP, SEWEurodrive Co. of Canada Ltd. and NSK Canada Inc.

I urge you to support the PTDA’s ICP program. Everyone benefits.

Robert Robertson, Editor
PEMAC Allied Member
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