Printing industry figures will gather next week to review the progress of Future Print as the apprenticeship program enters its second years and nears 200 trainees.
The September 16 summit will bring together stakeholders including PIAA and AMWU representatives, registered training organisations and Future Print advisors, employers, mentors and apprentices.
They will evaluate how the system is working and gather feedback, ideas and information which the PIAA says will make the program even more effective in its second year.
Almost 100 printing businesses have taken on 190 apprentices in $11m project, including 50 who are new to the industry, with many others offering formal qualifications and upskilling to their existing workers.
The first apprentices have now completed their first units of competency, and therefore wage progression, with many hoping to qualify within the next 18 months to two years.
PIAA innovation, training and employment general manager Joan Grace, who heads up the project, says the program is well on its way to achieving its original target of 240 apprentices by the middle of next year.
“With the terrific results we are starting to see and the continued input of our stakeholders, we are confident that the next year will deliver some even more exciting results,” she says.
Grace says Future Print has chalked up a tally of achievements so far, with trainees successfully completing their competency units, briefings held and advisors inducted.
The Business Transformation Project, funded by the federal government, has begun its leadership briefings, which will be held around the country in coming months to help printers take steps towards future-proofing their business.
Running for the next two years, Grace says the Transformation Project will offer a suite of resources from business analysis and planning, to support and training across a broad range of business areas, and will complement the industry-based training offered by the Future Print Apprenticeship Project.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter