Print industry suppliers association Visual Connections determined to support the provision of print training in Victoria through a donation to the digital print training centre at Holmesglen Institute, Victoria’s leading vocational training institute.
The move comes as print education has appeared back in then industry; Holmesglen Institute announced it was offering offsite training for print apprentices three months ago Cert III in Printing, with former RMIT head Robert Black running the course, while last Visual Communications teamed up with REA to promote print in the classroom.
Mitchell Mulligan, president Visual Connections says, “On behalf of the Visual Connections members I am pleased to confirm our support for a training facility that will promote the industry’s digital technologies in a wide array of applications, across all sectors.”
Holmesglen Institute’s, program manager for printing, Robert Black, says he is thrilled by the generous support of the Visual Connections Board and its members. He says, “This support is obviously greatly appreciated, but it is much more than that. It is indicative and recognition of the Visual Connections Board commitment to engaging the whole community through education and training pathways. As an industry we must engage schools, and Holmesglen Institute has made a commitment to do this on behalf of the industry.
“Visual Connections is committed to working towards a sustainable print industry and part of that commitment means supporting new industry training initiatives that may meet this objective. This is part of a wider education strategy from Visual Connections and additional to its continued support of industry promotional campaigns through Two Side Australia (TSA Ltd) and its support of other industry initiatives and bodies such as Women in Print, the LIA-Visual Connections National Scholarship Prize, ANZFTA, NZSDA, ASGA and the NSW TAFE training awards.
“Holmesglen is happy to be included in the above list of industry representative groups and is currently actively promoting its pathways programs, Certificate II and III apprenticeships to the schools. The Visual Connections Board and members are to be commended for their vision and support” says Black.
Mulligan says, “As vendors, our members are heavily invested in the training needs and outcomes of the print and sign industry, and we are thrilled to be able to support this vital initiative. We are especially pleased that Holmesglen Institute has a long-term goal to actively engage schools through pre-apprenticeship, VET in schools, VCAL and year 9-10 taster programs. This dovetails with the recent partnership announcement of REA Australia and Visual Connections to work together to promote the graphics and sign industries through the FI in Schools Programme and other REA programmes.”
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