Spectra Training is looking to the future of the local printing industry’s apprentice training landscape with the formation of the Printing Industry Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG).
The advisory group, which was formed in January this year, consists of seven industry experts, from a wide range of printing industry backgrounds, selected for their in depth knowledge of the industry and their ability to add value to Spectra’s training solutions.
The SRG advises industry training organisation, Spectra Training, on a wide range of matters relating to the design and delivery of print training solutions, providing advice and feedback to the registered training organisation on a range of technical and industry topics, including course content and design, quality, innovation and industry trends.
According to Specra Training, the opinions and recommendations of the SRG will ensure that the industry has a voice in fostering the apprentice training sector.
- The new advisory team: (L-R) Vanessa Hoppe – GM Apprenticeships & Training Operations, Spectra Training Neil Collyer – CEO Fineline Printing Bill Hicks – Industry Consultant, BSH Consulting Gary Cobbledick – Managing Director, Spectra Training Vince Sedunary – VIC Sales Manager, DIC Australia Angelo Cirillo – Printing/Post Press Manager, Newsprinters (Shepparton) Paul Ross – Business Operations Manager, Printing, Spectra Training
“Industry engagement is vitally important, especially in a fast changing market environment. I am very proud that we have representation from well established companies and I am grateful for the travelling that our regional representatives do to attend the meetings,” says Gary Cobbledick (pictured middle), Spectra Training CEO. “We are extremely grateful to our SRG members for their commitment to the future of the printing industry and for the time and expertise they are contributing to the development of improved training services in Australia.”
For Spectra Training, the printing sector, like many other industries, has felt the impact of significant change over the past few years, most notably in the areas of high cost inputs, technological advances, social media, digital production and lean business practices. In many cases, the result is that fewer people are called upon to do more of the work.
This change has also been felt in the area of apprentice training. As a result, Spectra Training says it recognises the need to modernise the apprenticeship training system for the printing industry and looks forward to working closely with the SRG to ensure the relevance and quality of print training in Australia.