Strong Finish, Bright Future

Thanks to the support of 203 companies and individual contributors, the 2025 PTDA Foundation Fund Drive raised over $260,000 to advance its workforce development efforts. As the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry faces growing demand for skilled talent, the PTDA Foundation continues to support initiatives like its scholarship program and the Building Awareness campaign to empower both emerging and current professionals.

2025 marked a year of strides in developing talent, promoting careers and recognizing leaders. The PTDA Foundation is focused on strengthening these efforts. It will continue to help PT/MC employers raise awareness of career opportunities in the industry to help grow the skilled workforce needed for sustained success.

The scholarship program saw a sharp rise in applications in its second year, receiving 222 compared to just 32 the year prior. This year five student scholarships and four employee scholarships were awarded. In response to growing interest, the number of scholarships will increase in 2026, with student scholarships expanding to eight and employee scholarships to six.

Start Your Career. Move the World. campaign promotes PT/MC careers through a customizable toolkit featuring posters, email templates and social media graphics. To further support recruitment efforts, a new campaign video is in development to serve as an engaging and easy-to-use tool for employers.

Two PTDA Foundation awards will be presented during the Annual Business Meeting on October 24 at the PTDA Industry Summit in San Antonio. The Wendy B. McDonald Woman of the Year honors a woman who has made significant contributions to the PT/MC industry and demonstrated exceptional leadership. The Robert K. Callahan Advancing Leaders Award recognizes an emerging leader who is driving change within the industry. Both awards celebrate individuals who are shaping the future of the industry through their commitment, innovation and leadership.

The PTDA Foundation, whose work is funded solely by donations, was founded in 1982 to champion education, outreach and research initiatives relevant to the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry that enhances the knowledge and/or professionalism and productivity for industry stakeholders. The Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation; contributions are tax deductible to the full amount allowed by law.