Northern Illinois University (NIU) Networking Event Recap
February 10, 2025
NIU Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL
NFPA hosted a successful recruitment event in partnership with Northern Illinois University (NIU) at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL, on February 10, 2025. As a valued Power Partner University, NIU provides targeted fluid power education and actively participates in NFPA’s educational programs, including the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge and the Fluid Power Club program.
The event began with a career fair, where NFPA member companies connected with NIU engineering students to discuss career opportunities in the fluid power industry. Students had the opportunity to meet with professionals from HYDAC, Concentric, Parker Hannifin, IMI, and Motion Industries who represented a range of industry roles, including Sales Recruiter, Design Engineer, Quality Engineer, Talent Acquisition, and HR, providing insights into their experiences and career paths in the fluid power industry.
Following the career fair, attendees participated in a luncheon and presentation session. NIU faculty provided an overview of the engineering and fluid power programs available at the university, showcasing the valuable coursework and hands-on experience offered to students. NFPA President and CEO, Eric Lanke, delivered a presentation highlighting the impact of NFPA and the growing demand for skilled professionals in the fluid power sector.
The event concluded with a roundtable discussion, where NFPA member company representatives collaborated to answer student questions and discuss industry trends. Special thanks to Landon, Chad, Carmen, and Lakhwinder for their insightful contributions as speakers during the event.
NFPA extends its gratitude to the students, NFPA member companies, NIU and RVC faculty and staff who participated in this event. These engagements reinforce NFPA’s commitment to building strong connections between industry and academia, ensuring a robust pipeline of future fluid power professionals. For more information about NFPA’s workforce development initiatives and upcoming events, visit NFPA.com.