Co-sponsored by two major international packaging associations: AICC, The Independent Packaging Association and the Fibre Box Association (FBA), the concept of ICPF was initially presented by AICC leader J. Richard Troll in 1985 in an effort to enhance the image of the corrugated industry and, through education and outreach, attract bright, young career-minded people who would contribute to the ongoing creativity and performance of the corrugated packaging industry. Since that time, ICPF has established partnerships with over 25 colleges and universities, placed over $15 million in corrugated equipment and $20 million in design software at educational institutions nationwide, developed online corrugated curricula, promoted jobs openings across the industry, and much more. Over the years, ICPF’s corporate partners have hired hundreds of student interns, new graduates, and job seekers utilizing the foundation’s tools and resources.
In 2025, ICPF celebrated 40 years of making an impact in the corrugated packaging industry. ICPF’s anniversary year pushed our mission forward with new career-focused resources, an expanded outreach footprint, and more. Over the course of the year, the foundation:
- Released ICPF and Project Learning Tree’s newly developed activity collection, Thinking Outside the Box, reaching 83 environmental educators and nearly 7,000 students through professional development workshops and engagement at national conferences.
- Awarded nine $7,000 scholarships to current undergraduate students in the U.S. pursuing a Certificate of Mastery in Packaging Management through The Packaging School.
- Placed equipment and software donations at five universities while sponsoring student attendance at RIT’s Pack Jam and student visits to corrugated packaging facilities in California and Wisconsin.
- Established a partnership with SkillsUSA as a Silver Sponsor, putting in motion a national talent pipeline development strategy and reaching 4,017 career technical education (CTE) educators through a fall communications campaign.
- Honored Jeffrey Schwarz as the 29th inductee into the Circle of Distinguished Leaders, with industry contributions exceeding $320,000—the most successful nomination in ICPF history.
- Hosted webinars, shared new employer toolkits, and promoted key workforce solutions to hiring managers and leaders across the industry with relevant partner organizations.
Expanding Outreach & Engagement
ICPF significantly broadened its reach in 2025 by engaging students and educators at every stage of the career journey. Through Project Learning Tree professional development workshops in Arkansas and Pennsylvania, 50 educators received hands-on training with 100% of participants reporting increased knowledge of green careers; 82% of educators walked away planning to use ICPF resources in their classrooms in the next six months.
ICPF also connected with over 150 students as the Diamond Sponsor of RIT’s Pack Jam conference, supported youth STEAM programming opportunities with the Watershed Ecology Center in South Carolina, and strengthened ties with high school graphic communications and printing programs through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. These efforts collectively expanded early exposure to the industry and contributed to a growing, more informed pipeline of future talent.
Building Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partnerships on a local, state, and national level played a central role in accelerating ICPF’s impact this year. Becoming a SkillsUSA Silver Sponsor opened access to a nationwide network of CTE students, including thousands of students and teachers, and set the stage for a broad talent-pipeline initiative launching in 2026.
ICPF also elevated the visibility of the corrugated packaging industry through a sponsorship of #MFGDay25 with the Manufacturing Institute and the promotion of green jobs to an audience of career development professionals alongside the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and PLT at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) annual conference. Additional partnerships with Corporate Partners advanced new box plant feature videos and drove progress on ICPF’s upcoming Workforce Index Survey, strengthening alignment across industry education and workforce development efforts.
“Momentum is not a single event; it’s built over time. It’s the result of several things coming together to create a movement that is powerful and, in some contexts, difficult to stop. Our combined industry efforts are gaining speed, and now is the time we push the pedal to the floor. Together, we will make a difference.”
Caitlin Salaverria, ICPF President