The Young People in Print team, a group of volunteers dedicated to inspiring the next generation of employees in the print industry, is supporting companies from across the UK to throw open their doors on October 23rd to welcome visits from local schools and colleges.
Paul Stead, YPIP volunteer, stated, “We’ve been running open houses with individual printers this year, helping them to attract students from local schools and colleges to visit and explore what the print industry can offer them. While this approach has been welcomed, it’s clear we need to do something on a far broader scale if we’re going to truly make an impact. International Print Day seems the logical day to say to the education and careers system in the UK that the print industry is seeking new talent, come on in and see what we have to offer.”
International Print Day is marking its 10th anniversary this year. It is an annual celebration that brings together printing professionals from around the world to celebrate the art, science and innovation of print. The YPIP team is aiming to offer a nationwide experience, where printers and their supply chain companies – from OEMs to substrates, inks, adhesives and software businesses – run open houses, inviting local students to visit and see what the print industry is all about.
Joanna Stephenson, YPIP volunteer, commented, “A large number of printers across the country have already agreed to open their doors to students on October 23rd and we would love to see this spirit of collaboration and proactive promotion of our industry be replicated across the country. Whatever sector you’re in, this is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the print industry as a great option for a career.”
The YPIP team is committed to linking companies to their local career hub so they can get local schools and colleges on board and plan the numbers visiting directly. It can also provide an agenda for the day and a PowerPoint deck to support companies if required.
“All companies need to do is offer refreshments, a talk and tour, and showcase the passion and potential our industry offers,” added Stephenson.
Stead added, “Career Hubs across the UK are crying out for potential employers to open their doors or people who just want to talk about what they do. We need new talent; they have the pool. We just need to connect the two. We also have UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) on board who will also be promoting the print industry with a dedicated page on their website, giving access to thousands of young people seeking apprenticeships. This is on top of Ozzle now hosting apprenticeships and a job board being made available soon on the YPIP web page too. There’s lots going on to drive the awareness of our industry forward to students, but we need printers and their supply chains – whatever their market sector – to get involved, open their doors on October 23rd and help change perceptions of our fantastic industry.”
