SKILLS & TRAINING


FEATURE


By Jon Bray (pictured), Managing Director at Learn2print


Meeting educational needs… in print, packaging and design


Let’s begin with a question. Who told you about the world of printing throughout your younger years and your time spent in school education? The answer is probably nobody. It seems to be the same answer I hear repeatedly as learners of today begin our current apprenticeship programme. The printing sector is considered the fifth-largest


manufacturing process internationally. It employs thousands of people worldwide in many different skillsets, yet the average age in the industry still sits around 45-48. It has for many years been labelled “a dirty job” due to the very nature of the processes and expectation of the industry that staff are often required to undertake unsociable hours of work. In the past, it has also been considered largely male dominated. Since I found myself entering the education sector in


print, we have seen the fall of training providers nationally - impacted upon by changes in apprenticeship funding, costs of not been able to keep up with the capital equipment, meeting the demand of changes in the industry and the constant battle of trying to generate learner numbers to retain the provision.


Industry has begun to recognise the need for training When I look back, the past years have hit the industry


hard and the education sector has also been through some tough times, meaning only a handful of training providers have survived. Colleges across the country have sold the equipment and invested in the perceived more attractive industries available to young people today. Like many, we could sit back, have a good moan and


reflect on the past or we could be a part of helping implement exciting change, paving the way for the next generation of print - like the staff at Learn2print. To the printing industry, our message is clear - you must


work with the educational sector to help us meet the educational skills shortage, raise awareness to the younger generation and devote serious time to training. Where lies the future… It is an exciting yet changing time in the world of print.


We have been hugely impacted upon by the move in digital technology. Training providers are seeing growth in numbers and importantly the increase in women involved in the sector. Industry has begun to recognise the need for training. Only a small number of training providers remain and


those that have have responded to industry needs and some are working with wider education to raise the profile and careers in print. It has led changes in educational delivery models - most providers now offer a national provision and employers can pretty much access training close by, if not onsite. As training providers, we have a responsibility to


disseminate information to help employers fill the identified skills gaps and to help with skills analysis, recruitment, understanding funding, developing the learning programme to meet learner needs and putting in place progression routes. We are calling on all those involved in steering the


printing industry to think about the next five years. They need to think about their existing skilled operators transferring skills and knowledge to the next generation. Don’t fall foul of the skills shortage.


business network July/August 2019 59


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