INKERS OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR MARKERS

By Wayne Robinson | 6 June 2025

The Visual Media Association (VMA) has issued the formal call for applicants across the country to represent their state or territory in the industry’s new emerging talent programme, The Inkers.

Calling for Markers: Pictured art the launch of the industry's emerging talent programme The Inkers are (l-r) Rodney Frost, Lamson Paragon and VMA; KIrsty Woodhead, Breen Printing and VMA; Dean Hosking and Andy Cocker, Konica Minolta; Kellie Northwood, VMA; and Yohei Konaka, Konica Minolta — *Calling for Markers: Pictured at the launch of the industry's emerging talent programme* The Inkers are (l-r) Rodney Frost, Lamson Paragon and VMA; KIrsty Woodhead, Breen Printing and VMA; Dean Hosking and Andy Cocker, Konica Minolta; Kellie Northwood, VMA; and Yohei Konaka, Konica Minolta

The VMA said successful representatives will be called ‘Markers’ to align with the positioning of the programme – mark your mark.

Produced by the VMA, and sponsored by Konica Minolta, The Inkers is the first nationally coordinated support programme dedicated to early-career professionals across the print, sign and visual media industry. It has been developed in direct response to the sector’s pressing skills shortage, and apprentice non-completion rate.

Kellie Northwood, CEO, VMA, said, “We realised we need to address the 57 per cent non-completion rate of apprenticeships across our industry. For every apprentice we recruit, we are losing more than half. That is not a tenable solution when we have a skills shortage and an ageing workforce.”

Applications are now open to professionals aged under 35, or those with less than five years’ industry experience, currently working in the visual media sector, who are ready to take on a leadership role that supports local engagement and national representation. Markers will act as ambassadors and help to shape the programme.

“The Inkers – make your mark, is a programme designed by, and for the emerging voices in our industry. This programme is a commitment to the support and development of a skilled, connected and visible workforce – one that is future-ready, supported, and confident to build their professional pathways,” commented Northwood.

The VMA is seeking print people who are passionate about championing emerging creative talent in their state or territory? The Inkers program is calling for dynamic, driven individuals to step forward as Markers - leaders who will be the voices of their local creative communities and contribute to national strategy, events, and industry direction.

Markers will form the committee team to:

> represent their state or territory as official ambassadors,

> receive mentorship from VMA board and industry leaders,

> participate in national strategy sessions and industry events hosted by partners such as Konica Minolta, and more.

All applicants for The Inkers – make your mark program must:

> Be currently employed within the visual media sector (including print, paper, packaging, publishing, design, media, or distribution),

> Be aged under 35, or have five years or less total industry experience,

> Reside in Australia and be able to attend both virtual and in-person events, and

> Demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, and industry contribution.

Applications are open now and close at 2pm next Friday, 13 June. Successful applicants will be announced the following Friday, 20 June.

To apply, click here to complete the Markers Application Form and email it along with your supporting documents (headshot, short bio, and optional reference) to hello@visualmediaassociation.org.au. For more information, call or email the Visual Media Association.