Rice Graphic Images (RGI), a 50-year-old national signage and vehicle wrapping business based at Wodonga on the VIC/NSW border, has been forced to advertise internationally for two new staff members because of a 'chronic' shortage of qualified sign writers and vinyl wrap specialists in Australia.
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| Rice Graphic Images at Wodonga, VIC |
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| 'It's a real problem': David Rice, MD RGI |
“We can’t get quality tradespeople in our area and it’s a widespread problem,” RGI managing director David Rice told Wide Format Online. “There’s definitely a shortage of people and a shortage of training; it’s a double whammy. We certainly could employ more people but we can’t get quality tradespeople. It’s a real problem.
“I know quite a few of our competitors are also advertising for skilled tradespeople. There’s a shortage in regional Victoria and regional NSW but I don’t think its confined to regional areas. It might be more pronounced in the regions but I think the cities are also facing a shortage of tradespeople. The people I’m talking to are all saying, ‘We just can’t get skilled tradesmen.’
“We just got to the point where we thought, okay, we might be able to encourage someone to come Down Under for a couple of years. We’re looking offshore for people because the alternatives are to either bring people to Australia or put work offshore. That’s where we’ve been; we do outsource offshore because we’ve had to. But we’ll do whatever it takes to get good people.”
RGI placed a job ad in this week’s US-based International Sign Association’s (ISA) Industry Tracker newsletter looking to fill two vacancies at the Wodonga sign shop for a Qualified Sign Writer - Vinyl Wrap Specialist.
Applicant needs to be confident in all facets of sign manufacture, installation and vinyl application. Vehicle wrapping experience essential. Proven leadership skills highly regarded. References required.
RGI is also offering to help international applicants relocate to Australia.
RGI has standard business sponsor approval and the company is open to offering international applicants looking to relocate to the Albury Wodonga Region, permanent residency assistance after successful completion of the 6 month probation period.
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| An RGI wrap job |
Rice says signage training in Australia has been “problematic” for some time and he’s taken the matter up with local federal and state politicians and Melbourne University. He’s now working with an unnamed industry group on a new training initiative.
“We’re trying to work with some providers now to create quality training, helping an organisation write a new training package, which must be as much front of house as it is back of house, as it is trade, communication, interaction, customer focus…”
The RGI MD says the industry needs to focus on younger students. “I believe we need to encourage younger people to join the trade earlier than what the schools may advise. We need to bring on trainees or apprentices at 16 and 17 years of age. The Secondary School education system needs to recognise that kids need to leave if they can get a trade.”
Rice Graphic Images, a family business that specialises in fleet, architectural and general signage, was founded by David’s father Warren Rice in country Victoria in 1965. RGI has a long-term, Australia-wide customer base and handles more than 1500 vehicles across the nation with fleet branding each year. Its client base also extends overseas, supplying products and consulting services. The company employees about 28 people in Wodonga and another four at its Geraldton, WA facility.
“We’ve got enough work,” says Rice. “I wouldn’t say business is booming, but we’ve got enough work. We just need to get it out the door. I don’t particularly want to be a spokesperson for the industry. We just want to have a business that’s successful and that participates in and supports the industry.”
Rice said RGI had already received its first response to the job ad. “There’s one person we’re talking to and he’s very keen to come to Australia.”
Wanted: Qualified Sign Writer - Vinyl Wrap Specialist (2)
Rice Graphic Images Australia Pty Ltd
