Queenslanders tackle digital issues in new study

A two-year project examining the relationships between digital technology usage and printing industry skills development has been launched in Queensland.

The project, which is likely to be indicative of industry trends across Australia, is being project managed by Printing Industries Queensland with support from the Department of Education and Training (DET) under the Queensland Government’s Skills Formation Strategy.

It will focus on the direct and indirect effects of digital technology uptake across the industry and work closely with employers and other industry stakeholders to develop a set of strategies to address future workforce development challenges.

President of Printing Industries Queensland, Ashley Petfield, (pictured) who has been appointed chairman of the Queensland industry leaders’ group, said that the rationale for a holistic approach to workforce issues enabled effective skilling to occur on an industry-wide, rather than on an individual or group of businesses, basis.

“Being selected by DET to manage the project reflects the peak industry body status of the association and is a timely opportunity for the industry to plan for a future in which workforce needs are expected to present a significantly different set of challenges to those being dealt with today,” he said.

Project manager David Hoban, is well-known in the Queensland printing industry having spent 10 years in business development with Printing Industries. Hoban has also worked closely with printing businesses in apprenticeships and traineeships, and has developed recognition of prior learning (RPL) kits for several trade areas for the Queensland Government.

“David's close involvement with the Sustainable Green Print (SGP) program in Queensland will ensure that sustainability issues for the industry are included in future workforce development strategies,” Petfield said.

To learn more about the Queensland printing industry Skills Development Strategy, to receive a copy of the research phase report or to offer comment on the subject, contact David Hoban on 0438 269 940 or at dhoban@printnet.com.au