The Digital Technology Cross-Industry Sector Report has reaffirmed a strong digital transformation underway within the printing and graphic arts sector. With 98.4% of reviewed training units now embedding digital competencies, the sector is shifting decisively from traditional processes to digital-first production environments. 

“Digital fluency is no longer a competitive advantage, it’s an operational necessity. Our members must be equipped with the skills to work across cloud platforms, manage digital workflows, and deliver creative output that spans both print and digital channels,” commented Kellie Northwood, CEO of the Visual Media Association (VMA), who welcomed the report.

The Art, Communications, Finance Industries and Property Services (ACFIPS) report identifies critical foundational and assessable digital skills already integrated into qualifications, including proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, colour management and calibration using digital spectrophotometers and RIP software, web-to-print platforms, and project management tools such as Trello and Slack. It also highlights the growing need for fluency in AI-enhanced design tools, AR-enabled publishing, and cloud-based workflow systems.

Key insights from industry consultations showed strong support for more hands-on experience with current technologies. “We need graduates who can hit the ground running,” Northwood continued. “Employers are telling us that scenario-based assessments and real-world simulations, like managing a job through a digital production system, are essential to workforce readiness.”

The report also calls for new micro-credentials in areas such as variable data printing, design automation, and digital proofing, with stakeholders pushing for modular learning that can quickly respond to shifts in client expectations and production technologies. 

With the sector’s convergence of design, print, and digital media, the report urges a curriculum model that embeds both creative and technical digital capabilities in all qualifications. “The future of our industry relies on agile, digitally confident professionals who can operate across platforms and adapt to constant change,” said Northwood. 

In response, the VMA is prioritising support for training providers, promoting industry-education partnerships, and advocating for sustained investment in trainer capability. “The report validates what we have long championed, that digital skills aren’t an add-on, they are the framework for future industry success,” Northwood added.