“Apprenticeship numbers in Queensland’s print industry have been declining.

“This decline in demand for training has meant that Southbank Institute has had to review how it delivers courses now and in the future.

“Southbank Institute, together with the State’s printing industry, has taken the initiative to ask the Department of Education, Training and the Arts to lead the development of a skills formation strategy for the industry.

“A meeting will be held on 4 September to discuss the development of a skills strategy for the industry and will involve senior representatives from Southbank Institute, DETA, Printing Industries Association of Australia (Qld) and the Creative Industries Skills Council.

“Southbank Institute will continue to work with the printing industry to ensure training and skills development lead to a highly skilled and globally competitive workforce.

“Southbank Institute will continue to promote printing and graphic arts apprenticeship training courses, and will be taking enrolments for 2009 in these subjects.

“Visit our website (search on our Program Finder at www.southbank.edu.au) or this direct link.”

Meanwhile, Printing Industries wants the Queensland State Government to commit to a Skills Plan to meet current and future industry training needs.

Queensland Printing Industries’ General Manager, Neal McLary, said a new collaborative approach to training was necessary to reflect changing industry needs, to meet the career aspirations of the young and to stop the decline in apprenticeship numbers.

“We need a Skills Plan that addresses the form and functions of the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts (QSPGA) such as equipment needs, on-line learning, competency based progression, on-the-job training delivery and assessment and training delivery for regional apprentices,” he said.

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