Industry suppliers association Visual Connections is partnering with Re-Engineering Australia (REA) to highlight the multitude of sign, graphics and print industry careers to students.
This announcement is part of a long-term strategy at REA to form connections which bring industry and the classroom closer together, and promote the development of employability skills and innovation.
Visual Connections says print, graphics and signage businesses across Australia are keen to find new and enthusiastic employees.
[Related: Wall new Visual Connections president]
Visual Connections president John Wall says the association represents a vibrant yet relatively unknown industry, "REA Foundation has proven that it can speak the language of young people and bring awareness through immersion and activities to different industries. Visual Connections is attracted by the breadth and depth of the REA programmes and its obvious passion for helping young people into meaningful careers.
"This alliance with REA will bring awareness amongst young people as to the varied and interesting careers available within the wider printing and sign industries and give a face to an industry that many do not understand could be a viable career choice. It will hopefully lead to an increase in apprenticeships and skilled resource to our members and to the wider industry.
"By educating our youth, it should breathe new life into an industry that is the largest manufacturing industry in Australia and offers many opportunities to those working within it.
"The skills needed in our industry are wide and varied – from technical, hands-on applications like press operator, sign maker, colour expert to business skills such as sales and marketing, finance, operations management, marketing and PR. There is also graphic design, pre-press skills, management of people, small business ownership and large corporate experience.
"We certainly cover a wide gamut of job positions and training in our industry gives skills that can be widely applied to other industries.”
The creation of skill to create a visual image and communicate passion are key components in the STEM competitions run by REA which include: F1 in Schools, 4×4 in Schools, Entrepreneurs in Schools and SUBS in Schools.
Students at all levels are judged on how well they brand their teams, design their pit displays, present their technical portfolios and decorate their F1 cars, off road vehicles and submarines. This has led to many students showing an interest in careers based on visual communication and, as a result, a large number of schools have been asking REA for more assistance and visual industry connections.
Dr Michael Myers OAM, chairman of REA, “As we continually seek to influence the career motivations of students there is a natural fit with Visual Connections and their member companies. The next step for us is to inform schools about the new alliance and encourage them to connect with their local print, graphics and signage businesses. We will be asking schools to let us know their mentoring requirements and we will work with Visual Connection to link people in these industries with schools and students.”
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