September 12, 2017
If you regularly follow this column, you are aware of a number of ongoing and new initiatives that the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) conducts throughout the year. Programs such as the launch of a new pilot to assist corrugated manufacturers in preparing local high school students for the plant floor, various work with colleges and universities to advance and maintain corrugated packaging curricula, and the recruiting of students and graduates with educational backgrounds in corrugated packaging design, sales, graphic design, packaging engineering, chemical engineering, supply chain management, and business.
These initiatives would not be possible without the contributions and time provided by individual companies. And, there are many ways to get involved and help support ICPF’s mission. ICPF welcomes donations of surplus CAD tables, corrugated testing equipment, and other resources for college packaging labs. Most recently, Arden Software provided ICPF with design software for Appalachian State University’s packaging lab, and JB Machinery installed a new KleenPlate System on the Workhorse press that ICPF earlier placed at Fox Valley Technical College in Wisconsin. Vanguard Packaging donated a CAD table to ICPF that was used to jump-start the packaging design track at University of Texas–Arlington. Gerber Innovations donated parts, installation assistance,
and training for the faculty.
Consider serving as a classroom speaker on corrugated packaging at one of ICPF’s 22 university partners. Many of the speakers provided by ICPF additionally organize plant tours, provide student internships, and serve as advisors and mentors to students and faculty. ICPF also recruits manufacturing executives who can serve as industry speakers at its annual Careers in Corrugated Packaging Teleconference, in which over 500 students and faculty from 18 campuses participated earlier this year. Though more regional in attendance, ICPF additionally seeks executive speakers for the Student Packaging Jamboree, which is organized and conducted by packaging students at a different campus each year. Some of the companies recently providing teleconference and jamboree speakers include Mid-Atlantic Packaging, WestRock, Green Bay Packaging, NEWW Packaging & Display, Wasatch Container, Georgia-Pacific, PCA, Smurfit Kappa, StandFast Packaging, Greif, Liberty Diversified International, Jamestown Container, and Landaal Packaging.
These initiatives would not be possible without the contributions and time provided by individual companies.
ICPF corporate partners use ICPF’s career portal to recruit new graduates and student interns who, by ICPF design, usually evolve into full-time employees upon graduation. Throughout the graduation season (February to early June), an average of seven qualified upcoming graduates apply for each opening posted. This fall is a perfect time to post openings for upcoming December graduates and for next season’s spring graduates, and to recruit student interns for next summer.
ICPF’s corporate partners annually send executives to ICPF’s Student/Executive Dialogue Dinner, where they help in promoting corrugated packaging and displays careers. Many of the participating students accept student internships and full-time openings upon graduation that are offered by the executives they meet there. Several of the recent participants have included KapStone Paper and Packaging, Welch Packaging, Green Bay Packaging, Mid-Atlantic Packaging, WestRock, Georgia-Pacific, Buckeye Corrugated, Inc., Landaal Packaging, Greif, Liberty Diversified International, Tavens Packaging, and Pratt Industries.
There are many firms that annually participate, sponsor, and promote ICPF’s Holiday Weekend in New York. In fact, there are too many firms to list here. It is a special weekend when manufacturing and supplier executives, with their spouses or guests, can support ICPF while socializing and enjoying the best of New York City during the holiday season. This year’s event (December 8–10, 2017) includes the latest Broadway play hit, and receptions and dinner at the renowned New York restaurants Sardi’s and Le Cirque. As of this writing, space remains available for additional couples. Email registration@icpfbox.org for more information on the event.
Individual firms also have hosted independent fundraisers for ICPF (most recently Harris Packaging, Bay Cities, and BW Papersystems) that have ranged from a Texas Band Benefit, to a California Cruise, to a Karaoke Singathon. Other firms or their executives have supported ICPF by nominating a deserving executive to ICPF’s Circle of Distinguished Leaders, by providing gifts of stock or cash at the end of the year, and by naming ICPF as beneficiary of a trust, IRA, 401(k), or will. All donations are tax-deductible. ICPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation co-sponsored by AICC and the Fibre Box Association. If you wish to learn more about these opportunities or would like to consider becoming
an ICPF corporate partner, visit www.careersincorrugated.org, or contact me directly. It is the assistance provided by firms like yours that enables ICPF to continue expansion of its outreach in educating and influencing the career decisions of talented upcoming high school and college graduates.
Richard Flaherty is president of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation.
