Industry training initiative FuturePrint is off and running full steam ahead, with more 60 businesses already signed on and over a dozen apprentices already up and training. The project has just launched its fully upgraded website, and with these first ground level results in hand, FuturePrint is officially open for business.
The new site went live a week ago, and already the engagement has been strong. 62 businesses had signed up to the program by the end of January, making a joint commitment to upskill nearly 200 apprentices and trainees. With more than 500 expressions of interest on its books, FuturePrint is well on track to hitting its target intake of 120 apprentices by mid-year. Speaking with Print21 Joan Grace, head of FuturePrint and general manager for innovation, training and employment for Printing Industries, said she is delighted the results, stressing the importance of capitalising on the momentum.
- Joan Grace, head of FuturePrint
"The industry needs to think about what it wants from its training because the numbers are there. From our side it's going really. Of course, there are two outcomes we have to achieve. One is to get the numbers in, and the second is to get the industry to decide what kind of apprenticeship system it wants," said Grace.
FuturePrint is a joint initiative between Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) to revitalise the training systems within the print industry, focusing on a new culture of upskilling and reskilling, creating sustainable communities and developing the industry. The FuturePrint site has been updated with a new "Jobs Board" which businesses can use to list vacancies and recruit suitable applicants, and an "Apprenticeship Matching Service" for prospective trainees to match their skills to opportunities in the industry.
According to Grace, "The structure is in place, the website is operational, the training is already happening - now we just want more businesses to benefit. There's no deadline and no obligation, so I'd encourage anyone thinking about their business future to contact us and start the conversation."
While she acknowledges that there is much left to do, Grace is pleased the project is starting to demonstrate its worth to participants and the FuturePrint team is looking forward to welcoming more businesses and apprentices on board over the coming months.