The Skills Formation Strategy said the industry has struggled to cope with the rise of digital printing and a public perception it is "dirty, noisy and smelly".

The two-year study by the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) and Skills Queensland identified two objectives: to attract and retain high-calibre people and to create a training and education system that works with the industry.

Chair Ashley Petfield said few industries had been as affected by recent change as printing.

That meant strategies were needed to create "an appropriately skilled workforce for the digital future" that would allow employers "to remain competitive in the change world of printing".

"In addressing these issues we believe we will help create an exciting industry that will be attractive to a new generation of career-seekers," he said.

The report found printers were concerned about transitioning to new technologies and the challenges that posed in attracting and training staff.

It also noted apprentice numbers were falling "at an alarming rate" due to the industry being regarded as technologically backward, poorly paying and "on the verge of collapse".

RMIT University's training school recently announced its closure citing declining student numbers.

To reverse negative perceptions the industry had to embrace modern thinking, market itself well, create professional development programs and promote industry assistance, according to the report.

It also raised the threat of current and future skills shortages, fuelled in part by competition from mining and construction.

Proposed solutions included developing a multi-skilled workforce, making vocational education more relevant and officially recognising employee training programs.

The study ran from January 2010 to November 2011 and called on 25 senior figures from the industry, PIAA, Lithographic Institute of Australia and Queensland government.

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