School’s out for printing apprentices

A report by Printing Industries reveals that printing jobs including binding and finishing, screen printing, printing machinists, small offset printers and graphic pre-press tradespeople are all suffering skilled labour shortages. But printing is not an industry deemed eligible to be included on the Australian Technical Colleges’ curricula.

According to the Department of Education, Science and Training, Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts would not be receiving funding. “Australian Technical Colleges are focusing on providing training for the more traditional trades that are experiencing skills needs,” the Department stated. Trades eligible for funding include electro-technology, automotive and commercial cookery as well as construction and plumbing.

Industry observer, Colin Bowd, believes that the government’s decision to ban printing is depriving many young people of a career. “Not all students are destined for a university education and would welcome the opportunity of commencing an apprenticeship whilst at school,” he said.

According to Robert Fuller, national operations manager of Printing Industries it is a pity that an industry so great in size has not been included in the core training curricula of these new colleges. “Printing is larger than automotive, for example, so we should be in the ATC to provide greater spread for the industry. At the moment training is only available in Sydney and Melbourne TAFES, which isn’t satisfactory. The fact that our industry is capital intensive and expensive may be an impediment that comes into the equation.”

Mr Fuller is developing a range of training and education options for the industry including on-site training and a DVD. “The industry is responding positively. We are in the throes of providing innovative training to address skill shortages with four firms in Sydney, which is funded by the Federal Government. This pilot programme can be rolled out to address some of the skills shortages.

“The DVD is a positive response to educate and inform parties about the size of the industry and the way it has significantly changed so we can become an industry of first-choice for young people.

“There is an overwhelming desire by employers to train local people wherever they can and in the best and most appropriate method. There’s a lot more work to be done.”