TRMC pushes for better deal for SA apprentice print training

South Australian printers have been facing an ongoing challenge in finding suitable print training for apprentices and now The Real Media Collective is stepping in to help find a more sustainable solution for the problem.

The Real Media Collective is organising a SA industry gathering at the Ball & Doggett offices in Adelaide at 4pm on Thursday July 22 to discuss the issue, find an industry-led solution and help form an argument to be put to the state government.

TAFE SA is no longer providing training for print and from the end of June it is understood it will also not run courses for prepress apprentices.

The federal government is continuing to offer 50 per cent apprentice wage rebates. This is significantly helpful for business owners but runs into problems when the requisite training cannot be accessed.

An alternative being examined by SA print business owners, including Rob Hansen of Hansen Print & Design, is an option where SA apprentices could undertake their coursework at the Holmesglen TAFE in Melbourne. This site is well set up with a Konica Minolta fit-out and other equipment.

Currently, Tasmanian apprentices travel to Melbourne to attend Holmesglen for their training.

The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood says the July meeting will provide industry with a chance to discuss their concerns and define the best way forward to resolve the problem.

“We have been working with our South Australian members and listening to concerns of the apprentice programs available,” Northwood said.

“We need to ensure South Australia has a strong program, such as that offered in Victoria via Holmesglen TAFE with the Konica Minolta partnership. It is critical for our apprentices to have access to equipment for their applied skills training and we are keen to develop an industry solution.”

Northwood says the TRMC is in discussions with the SA Government on the issue and other state governments to ensure a strong apprentice program is developed with connections to industry requirements.

“We are also engaging TAFEs across the country who are running successful apprenticeship programs as we look to understand their solutions and how these can be transferred to South Australia, the engagement so far has been extremely positive which is a terrific first step,” she said.

Hansen said the issue has been of long concern to him as immediate needs of apprentices in SA are not being met.

Deeply concerned: Hansen Print & Design owner Rob Hansen

“I have been long following this across the State and now have an immediate need for new apprentices coming into my industry, the current level is very disappointing and we must do better,” Hansen said.

“To all my industry colleagues I urge you to attend this event and work together to build a solution for our state.”

Anyone wishing to attend should contact hello@thermc.com.au.

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One thought on “TRMC pushes for better deal for SA apprentice print training

  1. I am not sure that many companies would get value from sending their apprentices to a training facility to learn how to run machines that are not relevant in their own company.
    I remember an old printing industries association program named “Future Print”. There was a push to make training more relevant for individuals and to move away from the TAFE standard training programs where apprentices were forced to spend weeks away from the workplace learning skills they did not need or are not used anymore.

    I guess it could be good if Holmesglen decide to install a range of sheetfed and web fed litho machines as well as a few web fed Flexo label and wide format machines. Plus a range of finishing equipment such as guillotines, folding machines. But then, only a small portion of apprentices would be given the time away from production to attend block training at TAFE, so the machines would probably end up like other TAFE machines around the country in the past. Being sold cheap at auction.

    The feedback I have from print companies in SA is that they like the on-job training offered by Print Training Australia.

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