The Queensland Regional Council has formed a focus group to examine the findings of new research on the skills shortage in the printing industry. The research was undertaken by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

Author of Understanding and Resolving the Skills Shortage in the Australian Printing Industry, Professor Victor Callan of the University of Queensland, says the skills shortages should be viewed in the wider context of technological change in the industry, which is altering the type of skills demanded by employers. He finds that, while employers will invest in new technology, they do not complement this with a matching investment in workforce training. He also points to a range of factors other than the provision of training that would improve the relative attractiveness of the printing industry to young people looking for a career.

 The Regional Council focus group will examine  the research and its lessons for better training for the Industry. An action plan will be developed as a means to improve training offerings in the industry. For more information contact Neal McLary on 3356 0022 or nmclary@printnet.com.au

Printing Industries and the Creative Industries Skills Council are working with a cluster of three schools in the northern Brisbane suburbs to increase awareness among students of careers in the printing and graphic arts industry. The schools involved are Aspley and Bracken Ridge State High Schools and St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

The program will include a series of student visits to a printing business, careers briefing sessions and visits to the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts to meet teachers and observe apprentices undergoing training.

Paul Scanlon, Managing Director at Print Works (Queensland), has taken a leading role by welcoming the students into his business to familiarise them with the industry and the career opportunities it represents. Following on from the site visits and briefing sessions, Paul plans to make available work experience openings which are in turn expected to lead to a number of school-based traineeships being offered. From there the students will have the complete range of printing industry career options.

For more information on this program contact David Hoban on 3356 0022 or email dhoban@printnet.com.au

A new initiative by the State Government will provide apprentices and employers with ready access to information and advice about training and apprenticeship employment issues. The service is called Apprenticeships Info with a telephone hotline staffed by trained consultants who will be able to answer questions on a wide range of topics such as how to become, or employ, an apprentice, while also dealing with contracts, rights and responsibilities and training providers.

The telephone hotline number is 1800 210 210 which will be accompanied by a website www.apprenticeshipsinfo.qld.gov.au and an email service apprenticeshipsinfo@qld.gov.au

Nominations are now open to training providers, employers, government agencies, apprentices and trainees. Nominations are on a regional basis with winners advancing to state and national finals.

If your business has turned a smart idea into a reality, you could win up to $10 000. You can also benefit from:

Despite a fall in business confidence, printers in the latest Printing Industry Trends survey remain hopeful of improvements in selling prices during 2007.

The recently released December 2006 quarter report for the Australian printing industry was completed by companies in 16 sectors, including the newly introduced digital sector.

According to Hagop Tchamkertenian, Printing Industries national policy and research manager, the industry optimism of the last quarter was reflected in the strong trading outcomes reported during the December quarter. Key economic indicators such as orders, production, sales and net profits were all reported to have improved during the December 2006 quarter.

Order the report here.

Course: Introduction to First Line Management New Supervisor.
Learn the secrets of successfully managing people for the first time. Essential for newly promoted supervisors or those being considered for more responsibilitiy.

Date: 22 March
Time: 6.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: Printing Industries Queensland office
Cost: Members, $150

To register phone 3356 0022 or email qld@printnet.com.au

Printing Industries, in association with the Queensland Government’s Workplace Health and Safety department, have produced a valuable new free publication entitled Induction Guide for the Printing Industry.

The publication provides a means by which employers can more quickly bring their new (and not so new) employees up to date with health and safety issues in their workplace, thereby minimising the risk of injury caused by inexperience with the printing industry environment.

The guide comprises three main sections. The first provides an easy-to-read introduction to safety issues in the printing industry. The second provides more detailed information on workplace health and safety, while the third provides the employer with the legislative and award background necessary to support their efforts in making staff more aware of safety. A very useful inclusion is a suggested checklist for keeping track of those items of safety instruction that have been delivered, providing a record for inclusion in the employee’s personal file.

Printing Industries Queensland staff have been distributing copies to members over the past few months. If you have not yet received your free hard copy please phone (07) 3356 0022 or email qld@printnet.com.au or download it from the Queensland Member's OH&S area on PrintNet

PrintEx07 will launch a ground-breaking new initiative for the print and graphics communication industries this May: The PrintEx Forums. Aimed at generating debate and discussion on issues of key industry interest and concern, the forums will take place during PrintEx07, at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The first Forum, on Thursday 24 May, will be facilitated by journalist, author and former rugby player for Australia, Peter FitzSimons. Peter will moderate debate around the theme: CONTROL YOUR FUTURE - Insights and strategies for survival and success in an increasingly complex print industry environment. Full story.

The Printing Industries/ACCI Survey of Investor Confidence needs more participants - and is offering a new incentive.

Participants in the survey, which is designed to provide a better understanding of conditions within Australian business and allow for proper representation of the business community, can win a $300 voucher.

This survey forms an important part of our representation of business. As a token of our appreciation one participant will receive a $300 gift voucher from David Jones. The survey closes on Friday, 23 March 2007.

To take part in the survey click here

The Australian Government is running free Business Planning workshops for small businesses to be better prepared for, and able to recover from, a crisis. The workshops will be held in various locations across the country throughout April and May.

For Queensland locations click here.

Enquiries can be directed to workshops@industry.gov.au or visit www.industry.gov.au/workshops