ICPF is continuously working to connect our corporate partners and industry representatives with accessible, impactful partnership opportunities to grow the workforce of the corrugated packaging industry at the local, regional, and national level. The opportunities and organizations outlined below can help to build sustainable talent pipelines of qualified, motivated candidates in your area.
Find Talent With The Manufacturing Institute
Partner With the FAME USA Program
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing (FAME) program is an advanced manufacturing workforce education and development initiative run by the Manufacturing Institute with locations in 12 states. The FAME model facilitates employer-led partnerships between your company and local educational institutions and establishes a channel for recruiting diverse, high-achieving and career-oriented students. Once established, the cooperative of local employers that make up the FAME chapter will generate a continuous pipeline of skilled technicians. Employers can join a local chapter or start one of their own if there isn’t one already in the surrounding area.
Recruit Qualified Service Members With Heroes MAKE America
The Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program provides integrated certification and career readiness training in partnership with local community colleges to prepare transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and military spouses for rewarding careers in manufacturing. Former service members are ideal candidates and poised to be natural leaders within the corrugated packaging industry.
Celebrate MFG Day in Your Community
Held the first Friday in October each year, MFG Day, developed in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Manufacturing Institute (MI), encourages thousands of companies and educational institutions nationwide to open their doors to students, parents, educators, and community leaders, fostering an in-depth understanding of the rewarding and high-paying careers available in modern manufacturing.
Each year, ICPF partners with the Manufacturing Institute to sponsor MFG Day celebrations across the country. In 2024, the foundation visited Modesto, CA and co-hosted 36 students from Ceres High School’s Manufacturing, Production, and Green Technology (MPGT) Academy at Pacific Southwest Container. During the event, students toured the plant floor, met with current corrugated packaging employees, and more. Watch the video to learn more about our MFG Day event and reach out to ICPF to explore about upcoming partnerships.
Connect With Your State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center
MEP is a public-private partnership with centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. The MEP National NetworkTM offers an extensive range of workforce services and resources that address every stage of the employee lifecycle. Services include talent assessment and planning, attraction and recruitment, training and development for production workers as well as leadership, employee engagement and retention, and more broadly creating an effective organizational culture to become an employer of choice.
The MEP’s National Network serves small and medium-sized manufacturers across America.
Hire Interns Enrolled in ICPF’s Workforce Degree Program at Ivy Tech
ICPF has developed a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College as part of our strategic initiative to fill plant floor positions by initiating trade school and community college outreach. ICPF has provided a grant to Ivy Tech awarding up to $50,000 in student scholarships for advanced manufacturing students who are uniquely qualified to serve as machine operators and maintenance technicians. Students and box plants located in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lake County, South Bend, and Valparaiso, Indiana are eligible to participate. ICPF’s scholarship with cover tuition costs and a travel stipend as successful candidates complete a three credit hour internship/co-op experience at a box plant near them.
Reach out to ICPF to see if your box plant is eligible to participate!