The print industry’s Printing and Graphic Arts Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has produced a draft review of the current and potential training requirements for a changing industry, and is inviting industry comment.
The 48 page report – which can be viewed and downloaded here – is a comprehensive assessment of the upcoming needs of the industry and how young people can be trained to meet them.
Based on consultation with the Printing and Graphic Arts IRC and Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) research and analysis, attracting new talent and maintaining talent appears to be stemming from three core issues: perception and reputation of the sector; working conditions and prospects; and in many cases, an ageing and static workforce.
The IRC worked with PwC's Skills Australia to prepare the draft Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (ISFPSW) for 2018/2019. The point of the document is to refocus the discussion of skills and training to ensure that training design is centred on what will equip learners with the right knowledge and skills to satisfy industry requirements.
Paul Mitchell, national workplace relations manager at the association says, "At PIAA, we constantly hear about the challenges businesses have in finding appropriately trained employees, or having opportunities for formal training in the right areas.
"This review presents the opportunity for industry to get involved, and ensure the training needs of printers are considered in future training programmes.”
[Related: PIAA publishes SA election scorecard]
The report points out that industry participants are expanding into non-traditional service offerings, such as data driven customisation and multi-channel marketing whilst retaining printing as a core service offering and will therefore still employ workers in printing and design occupations.
It also makes it clear that technological changes continue to impact the demand of roles in which people work and the service offerings of the industry.
To enable a flexible and skilled workforce and to adapt to the trends shaping the sector, the Printing and Graphic Arts IRC has identified several skills priorities. These include an understanding of the broad industry and trends within printing and graphic arts, as well as the ability to research and absorb new information to keep up to date with industry trends. Another prioritised skill is an ability to plan one's own career (or own business) in a changing industry environment by self-assessing skills and planning development and progression, and the ability to be creative and use problem solving skills in difficult situations.
The report says the ability to build working relationships and collaborate is becoming increasingly important at all levels. Organisations are expanding service offerings and requiring different parts of the business to work together. This includes communication techniques for identifying and working with different personalities. It also notes a need for an ability to respond well to change and embrace new roles and technologies.
Membership of the Printing and Graphic Arts IRC Membership includes Andrew Macaulay, CEO, Printing Industries Association of Australia, who is chairs the committee; Lorraine Cassin, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) Print Division national secretary as deputy chair; Robert Black Holmesglen Institute programme manager; Ben Eaton Starleaton CEO; Kerim El Gabaili, OnePoint CEO; Julie Hobbs FutureNow, Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council/ Design Institute of Australia CEO; Peter Lane, Lane Print Group managing director; Michelle Lees HP PPS Australia marketing manager, Graphic Solutions Business; Brett Maishman, Fuji Xerox Australia national industry manager and Michael de Souza, Australian 3D manufacturing association CEO .
Feedback can be provided by submitting the below simple form to info@skillsforaustralia.com by Tuesday April 3.
More information about the Printing and Graphic Arts Industry Reference Committee can be found here.
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