RMIT University will close the book on its International Centre of Graphic Technology (ICGT) centre in 18 months as falling apprenticeship numbers force its hand. The Printing Industries Association of Australia said it was “shocked and dismayed.
David Currie, CEO of Currie Group and a long-term supporter of the Institute and of printing training around the nation, also said he was, “Mortified and shattered as a result.” Currie Group has provided millions of dollars in equipment and support and is at a loss as to why the decision was taken.
The shock announcement follows a series of 2011 investments that saw ICGT’s press hall at RMIT’s Brunswick campus install a purpose-built climate controlled pre-press facility. Currie Group alone has contributed two Shinohara offset presses, a HP Indigo 5000 digital engine along with a state-of-the-art Horizon finishing line.
The training centre is also nearly a year into a five-year agreement signed with Heidelberg for a 2006 model Speedmaster SM 52-8-P, an installation that marked the first time print apprentices has access to an eight-colour perfector press. RMIT has invested more than $1 million in the past three years into the ICGT.
According to John Barnes, director of TAFE at RMIT, the university is already in consultation with industry stakeholders to ensure a niche-training organisation steps up to serve their requirements. “We shall be working with every apprentice and their employers to ensure that all current training programs are completed. All existing programs will be taught until completion,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the printing industry has been experiencing long-term difficulties in sourcing apprentices. In turn, this has cut numbers at the ICGT to the point where its activities are no longer viable. The education industry is changing and we at RMIT are putting our efforts into growth areas which reflect our strengths as a global university of technology and design – areas of high growth and high demand.”
An “extremely disappointed” Bill Healey, CEO of Printing Industries, believes it is imperative for the industry to act quickly and collectively to remedy the situation.
“While the announcement is extremely disappointing we must be proactive in finding a solution, not just for Victoria and Tasmania, but for the industry nationally.
“Apprenticeship numbers have been declining over many years and all publically funded training providers have been experiencing difficulties in justifying stand-alone training organisations in their states. Industry needs to step in and take control of its own destiny and look to creating a national approach to apprenticeship training,” he said.
Healey said the PIAA has been exploring the feasibility of establishing a single national training arrangement to ensure the needs of the printing industry continued to be met into the future. “Such an arrangement would focus on improved efficiency and better promotion of a nationally consistent training pathway for apprentices.
“We are currently preparing an application for funding to look at the future of apprenticeships, in conjunction with the Australian Metal Workers Union. Given the RMIT announcement, this will need to be fast-tracked,” said Healey.
He called on the Victorian Government to ensure ongoing funding is provided to enable the industry to meet its skill requirements. “We believe this is essential if our members are to retain a place in the multi-channel communication world of the future,” he said.
Printing Industries will be meeting with RMIT as matter of urgency to ensure apprentice training in Victoria and Tasmania continues for existing and new apprentices during the 18 month RMIT wind-up period.
Ron Patterson, state manager for Printing Industries Victoria and Tasmania, is disappointed by the announcement after working with RMIT over a number of years to develop a new approach to industry training
“A great many people have been working to create a better system for our apprentices and a modern, relevant curriculum to attract more apprentices into our technologically driven industry, so RMITs decision to bail out is not welcomed.”
“However it won’t deter us and I am confident that any consolidation of training agendas would be welcomed by suppliers who are regularly faced with having to provide expensive equipment to multiple sites. Consolidation could lead to a better allocation of costly resources and to closer co-operation with industry. We must focus on achieving this as quickly as possible,” said Patterson. ”