WAUKESHA, WI—Husco International, a manufacturer of hydraulic and electromechanical control systems for automotive and off-highway applications, has received a Human Resources Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal.

In business for more than 75 years, the family-owned, privately held company was recognized for its early talent development program. The journal’s HR awards honor the work human resources professionals perform in making southeastern Wisconsin companies successful.

Husco employs more than 1,500 people worldwide and tallied sales of more than $500 million last year.

While many companies are feeling the impact of the current labor shortage, the company’s HR team identified this problem years ago and developed a world-class early talent pipeline that encompasses high school, technical colleges, and four-year universities.

The company began offering internship, co-op and new graduate opportunities in the 1990s for emerging professionals who are enthusiastic about engineering and gaining hands-on work experience early in their careers. Interns and co-ops are key contributors to projects and tasked with specific goals and responsibilities. These projects not only help interns and co-ops develop fundamental skills in their chosen career, but they are often the impactful first step in a full-time professional career path at Husco. Coupled with training and development, company connection, and community involvement, Husco’s programs give students confidence to strive for excellence, become successful leaders and contributors, and grow into exceptional members within the community.

Husco’s early talent programs have enabled the company to develop and retain top talent. Husco employs 68 individuals, at levels as high as vice president, who joined the company through the intern program.