For the first time in many years printing companies are being actively sought and encouraged to employ apprentices.
The call comes as apprentice mentors and advisors hit the road around Australia looking to attract a new generation of young people into industry careers.
Printing Industries is behind the project which has teams of people under its new Apprenticeship Mentors and Advisors program giving the industry a presence at school careers expos looking for new talent and providing support for existing apprentices to complete their training.
National Program Manager, Ian Walz, said it was time for printing companies to re-look at the value of apprenticeships and the benefits of having an up and coming skilled workforce.
“In recent times we have tended to lose sight of the need to keep attracting young people into our industry and have backed away from a commitment to training,” he said.
“Now is the time to change all of that with on-the-ground support being provided by Printing Industries to turn around institutional attitudes towards our industry and engage with students, parents and employers.
“A major part of this is finding companies who we can talk to explaining why they should employ an apprentice, how to do it and the many benefits including financial incentives, currently available.”
Mr Walz said that during the past few weeks Printing Industries’ mentors and advisors had attended careers expos in Perth, Brisbane and Western Sydney and participated in the World Skills and Career Expo at Homebush in NSW.
“We will also have a stand at the PrintCom Expo next week at Sydney’s Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre and want to attract both young people and company managers to turn their interest into opportunity.
“But critically important from an industry perspective is finding companies willing to at least find out the benefits of employing an apprentice, how they can do it and what it can mean for their business.”
Mr Walz said some of the benefits included:
Bringing new energy into a company.
Investing in the future.
Starting a retirement and succession plan.
Receiving financial incentives.
Getting competent and qualified personnel trained on the job.
Demonstrating your social and industry responsibility.
Partnering with the Printing Industries Association of Australia to ensure the required skills for our industry are fostered.
“Please come to see us at PrintCom Stand 12A at Sydney Convention centre during 24-26 September or contact me direct at Printing Industries: ian@printnet.com.au or Phone (02) 87897362 to see how you can gain from this initiative.”
The Australian Apprenticeship Mentor Program has been funded by the Federal Government to build relationships with current Apprentices in the printing industry and encourage them to complete their training, gain their competencies, finish their apprenticeship and consider the opportunities within the industry.
Printing Industries Association of Australia
www.printnet.com.au
