Visual Connections Australia

Visual Connections to Participate in Industry Training Focus Group

24-Mar-2025

In May, Visual Connections representatives will take part in the second focus group for Printing & Graphic Arts for the Digital Technology cross-industry sector project.  We are pleased to be representing you at this level, and are keen to hear your views on this important topic. If you have insights you would like to share, please give us a call on (02) 9868 1577 or email karrenc@visualconnections.org.au 

The project is run by ACFIPS, a government-funded, not-for-profit organisation which provides information on training and work opportunities in areas from printing, to music, visual arts, cyber security and real estate. The Printing & Graphic Arts focus group will include representatives from TAFE, RTOs, unions, industry associations and leading businesses, and will discuss foundation skills, assessable skills and emerging trends and challenges in the industry. You can find a summary of the first focus group below.

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ACFIPS Forum Shapes Future Training

We were pleased to be included in the recent ASFIPS Print & Graphic Arts Industry / RTO forum, which discussed the employment and training needs of the print and wider graphic communications sector, the current structure and availability of training, and what changes might be needed to ensure industry requirements are met in future.

The group included representatives from industry associations, unions, TAFEs and RTOs and other organisations with a vested interest in this very important area. The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance – Jobs and Skills Council (MISAJSC) was also present to provide an update on their activities to address the jobs and skills for the future.  

Among issues discussed were the slowing economy and likelihood of a short-lived recession in 2024, and what that means for business, as well as the increasing impacts of digital transformation and emerging AI technologies

While jobs for printers are set to decline by around 12% by 2026, jobs for printing assistants (Certificate II level) are likely to grow by a similar amount. The big growth is expected in graphic design and creative arts, with projected increase of 21.7% by 2026. It was noted that there are emerging sunrise industries - like printed electronics and intelligent packaging for instance - which will likely provide jobs for the future. ICP training will need to keep pace.

The age of ICP Printing & Graphic Arts students in NSW - likely reflected in other States - show that only 29% are in the ‘traditional’ 15 -24 age bracket. In contrast, 54% are between 25-50 years old - interesting statistics that warrant reflection

Pleasingly, completion rates in NSW for Certificate III Print & Graphic Arts trainees improved significantly from 41.9% in 2020 to 67.2% in 2022, and for Certificate II trainees is much higher at 85.7%. There was some discussion around the need for Cert III qualifications, with most participants arguing they must be continued.

While there were no decisions or commitments made at the meeting, the group did identify several future skills needs, including the need for:

  • printing technologies to be included in graphic design / arts courses to ensure students understand print requirements 

  • a good understanding of, and ability to use, AI and cloud-based technology as it develops and infiltrates the industry. 

  • more CNC machine skills 

  • stand-alone units and skill sets, to allow for sharing of competencies across different courses and to support upskilling of staff as businesses diversify, introduce new technologies and expand their business models.

On a practical level, it’s clear that finding enough apprentices is difficult as is employing school students casually due to minimum hour clauses in the award - this impacts the ability to attract young people to the industry. We were able to share our learnings from the Visual Connections careers initiative, run in conjunction with ASGA for sign and graphics apprentices. The highly successful initiative was widely applauded with delegates expressing its potential value across the entire sector.

That program has since been further developed into the Sign & Print Career Connections initiative, which promotes careers in the print, sign, graphics and wider visual communications sector to students, parents, teachers and careers advisors by participating in Careers & Employment Expos around the country. The only new talent acquisition initiative in the visual communications sector, it is supported by all industry associations and is sponsored by major sponsors Graphic Art Mart, ORAFOL, Pozitive Sign & Graphics Supplies and Signarama, Partnering Sponsors Bottcher Australia, Hero Print, MacDermid Grahpcis Solutions and Spicers Australia.