The industry training initiative Future Print is picking up steam and results are blowing away expectations. Over 85 business are now signed up for the program and more than 131 new trainees are ready to start, with roughly a quarter brand new to the printing industry.
The joint initiative between Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) has seen a tenfold spike in numbers since it launched its upgraded website in February. Then there were just a dozen apprentices on the books, now the program has easily eclipsed its mid-year target intake of 120. Joan Grace (pictured), PIAA general manager for innovation, training and employment, says that support for the new model has exceeded expectations and that the focus is now on developing industry progression benchmarks.
"As they will be used to assess trainee progress and determine their wage progression, getting the fundamentals right has always been one of our most important goals. We are in the middle of running meetings with businesses in the precincts to ensure the training and assessment model is meeting their requirements and have also met again with RTOs to ensure they are on board with the changes we are making across the country," said Grace.
"Consultation with our partner in the project, the AMWU, and various stakeholders is providing valuable feedback, allowing us to evolve the program to more closely meet industry needs," she adds.
"About a quarter of the Future Print trainees are entirely new to the industry, which is a great result, with the balance made up of existing workers whose employers have taken the opportunity to upskill their people to meet predicted future needs."
- South Australia Precinct meeting (l-r) - Rob Slatter (Multi Color), Peter Clifford (Vivid Blue Design), John Evans (Graphic Print Group), Steve Hough (Print Graphic Displays), and Trevor Stone (Cadillac Printing)
