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Partnership Opportunities

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 outlined below can help counteract labor shortages, increase employee retention, and foster positive company culture within your organization.

Find an Untapped Workforce

Use Veryable to access an untapped manufacturing labor pool. This solution does not solve full-time hiring needs, but instead looks to meet demand & increase employee retention without disrupting workflow. The Veryable talent pool has manufacturing industry experience but needs training. With a robust hiring & review process, Veryable allows you to build a company-specific labor pool based on your feedback.

Recruit Qualified Service Members

Train Motivated Apprentices

ICPF has partnered with SkillsUSA Illinois to make their Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) available to interested partners. This program targets specific positions and allows motivated high school students to participate in work-based learning experiences while in school, allowing you to create your own unique talent pipeline.


Partner with The Manufacturing Institute’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) USA Program

The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) is an advanced manufacturing workforce education and development run by the Manufacturing Institute with locations in 12 states. FAME provides global-best workforce development through strong technical training, integration of manufacturing core competencies, intensive professional practices and intentional hands-on experience to build the future of the modern manufacturing industry. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program administered under the FAME model leverages a work/learn framework to weave technical knowledge, professional behaviors and distinct manufacturing core exercises into a focused co-op experience to build global-best, entry-level, multi-skilled maintenance technicians. 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 through the AMT program. Employers can join a local chapter or start one of their own if there isn’t one already in the surrounding area.


Get Connected with your State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

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.

Explore Registered Apprenticeship Programs with the U.S. Department of Labor

Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop their future workforce while individuals can find paid work experience and receive a nationally-recognized credential.  Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Apprentices who are trained via non-traditional routes can add value to your business, increase productivity, reduce turnover, and foster employee retention. Apprenticeship USA provides valuable resources to help you join an existing program, create one of your own, or simply learn more about what these programs and candidates have to offer.