School students have flocked to Visual Impact Sydney to learn about future careers in the printing industry, thanks to a program that organisers have hailed as a great success.
Though Inspiring the Future Australia, which recruited students and career advisers on behalf of Visual Connections, had initially planned to bring in only 40 students per day over the three days (for a total of 120), organisers estimated that more than 170 students were expected to attend the show. "There was so much interest, and Peter Harper didn't want to say no, so we kept upping the numbers," said Ian Palmer, CEO of the Schools Industry Partnership. "I think we could even grow it much larger."
The interactive workshops, including car wrapping, dye sublimation, laser technology and LED signage, were designed to give kids hands-on experience with different areas of the printing and graphic arts industries. "Kids think it's all offset and ink on your fingers every day, and while that's still there, it's rapidly changing as well. Kids are losing sight of the great career opportunities in the industry," Palmer said.
Visual Connections also allied with the Re-Engineering Australia Foundation, which encourages student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. Peter Harper, general manager of Visual Connections, said he was very happy with the partnership. "It's been a great success with the students, and it's good for our members to see how we're investing back into the industry by supporting programs like REA's F1 in Schools," he said.
Harper hopes that partnerships like this will boost interest in the printing and signage industries among the 'next generation' of apprentices. "Kids need to be introduced - a lot of the students that came here are interested in graphic arts and design, but the printing and signage industries were far from what they'd ever imagined. They've had the chance to do some workshops, have a look, and see what's happening," he said.