Sign & Print Career Connections is returning in 2025, with the initiative set to feature at Careers & Employment Expos around the country over coming months – with the first two coming up in Sydney and Melbourne in March.
The initiative, which is designed to help attract new talent to the print, sign and graphics sector, is run by Visual Connections and coordinated by Australian Schools Industry Partnership (AusSIP).
It has proven a huge success, connecting with thousands of students, parents, teachers and careers advisors last year, and engaging the young people in try-a-trade activities and conversations with industry experts, training providers and current apprentices.
More than 6000 booklets on industry careers were distributed in 2024, with thousands of hits clocked on the Sign & Print Career Connections Online resource, and AusSIP and TAFEs fielding a significant number of enquiries about apprenticeships.
This year, the program will be run at the following Careers & Employment Expos:
Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo will be held at the Sydney Showground on 14 and 15 March, followed by Melbourne, from 20 to 22 March.
More events will follow over coming months:
- Adelaide – 9-10 May
- Brisbane – 12-14 June
- Sydney – 15-16 August
A full team of volunteers has already been assembled to share their passion and practical advice with students in Sydney; however more volunteers are needed for the three-day Melbourne show.
Visual Connections executive general manager Karren Challoner-Miles said the program represents an important commitment by Visual Connections – and the industry’s suppliers – to support industry businesses by driving interest in careers.
“The skills shortage is well documented, but it’s exciting to see how genuinely engaged and interested students are when they come onto the stand and start to get an idea of what a career in print, sign and graphics could look like,” she said.
“Having such an engaging visual display helps grab attention, and really draws students in, giving them a real experience of what the visual communications sector can do – and how they might apply their talents to the available opportunities.
“Promoting careers in sign, print and graphics is vital to support the future of our sector – and there’s no one better to pass on the passion that than the people who are part of it, every day.
“If you can spare even an hour or two to come and chat to students about your experience of the industry, please give our team a call on (02) 9878 1577 or email karrenc@visualconnections.org.au to let us know your availability.”
The Sign & Print Career Connections program is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Graphic Art Mart, ORAFOL, Pozitive and Signarama, and the support of partnering sponsors Böttcher, Hero Print, MacDermid Graphics Solutions and Spicers.
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