NFPA’s Fast Track to Fluid Power is a workforce development pathway that partners local 2-year technical colleges with industry professionals and high school educators. These networks create awareness and interest in fluid power and train students along a path from middle school to college that leads to careers in fluid power at NFPA member companies.
In Pennsylvania, Northampton Community College (NCC) is NFPA’s Fast Track to Fluid Power Hub. NCC offers two fluid power related
degrees and certificates through it's School of Business and Industry:
1. Electromechanical Technology
2. Industrial Maintenance Millwright
Get Involved with the Northampton Community College Fast Track Hub
NFPA members are encouraged to get involved by presenting to students during class, hosting a facility tour, participating in upcoming events, or supporting other workforce activities. These opportunities can be coordinated through NFPA staff. Contact Erin Bauer at ebauer@nfpa.com to learn more, get involved, or join the upcoming virtual Workforce Engagement Group Meeting.
NCC continues to play an essential role in increasing awareness and preparing students for successful careers in our industry. This academic year, NFPA members can get involved by participating in:
1. The Fluid Power Action Challenge - a community-wide competition that tasks high school students with solving an engineering problem using fluid power. The students work in teams to design and build a fluid power mechanism and compete against other teams at a timed event. This event creates an environment where applied math and science is fun and exciting. NFPA members who serve as sponsors and judges create connections and elevate their company visibility among local schools and families.
Sponsored by HYDAC in it's inaugural event hosted at NCC, this event takes place this fall and NFPA members are encouraged to attend to serve as judges or lend their technical expertise to competing teams.
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Workshop Day: October 2, 2026
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Challenge Day: December 15, 2026
2. NFPA collaborates with each Fast Track to Fluid Power hub to provide NFPA members with direct recruitment events, speaking opportunities, or information session on how to recruit emerging talent from the 2-year college, and in some cases, all of the above! Currently, NCC is offering NFPA members a chance to recruit talent from their programs this fall:
2-Day Skilled Trades & Industrial Technology Job Fair
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Day #1 Tuesday, September 22: 11am – 1:30pm Eastern, Register
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Day #2 Wednesday, September 23: 11am – 1:30pm Eastern, Register
What to expect: Employers can select one of two dates to engage with current NCC students, recent graduates and alumni at NCC’s Hartzell Hall in Bethlehem, PA. Each employer gets a table, 2 chairs, and lunch provided for 2 representatives in the registration fee of $40.
3. NCC is offering employers the opportunity to participate in their Winter 2027 Job Shadowing program. Employers are able to customize this experience based on their recruitment and operational needs. The program runs January 11 - 15, 2027, and employers can work directly with NCC's Center for Career Development to define the job shadowing experience for students. Benefits for employers include:
- Engage with emerging talent
- Build meaningful relationships
- Preview future interns or employees
- Boost brand visibility
- Showcase your organization
Register here to sign up and receive additional information - registration closes September 25, 2026. We look forward to NFPA members engaging with NCC in the coming months!