Issue 4 – 2006
1. UK Awards Wants World’s Best Printers
Australian printing companies have been invited to enter the IPEX International Company of the Year Award to be presented at the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) Excellence Awards. The awards take place on 6 April 2006 alongside IPEX 2006 at the Birmingham NEC in the United Kingdom. The invitation came from BPIF deputy Chief Executive Cicely Brown during a visit with Printing Industries in Australia recently.
Ms Brown was encouraging Australian participation in the awards as a way to broaden co-operation. To read more about the UK Awards and to download a registration form, go to Printnet
2. Education and Training – PIAA Engages Prominent Industry Education Specialist
Printing Industries has launched a new project to attract young people to print and promote the benefits of workplace training. The project has received the stamp of approval (and financial support) from the Innovation and Business Skills Council (IBSA), and will involve a comprehensive range of marketing material. Rob Gullan has been appointed to produce Print specific material, and to consult with the industry on what approaches would be the most effective.
Gullan claims it is important to be able to attract talented and motivated young people to the printing industry, and to ensure employers were well informed about supporting skills development. Rob is working out of our Victorian office and can be contacted on 03 9291 5340 or Rob Gullan. To read more about his appointment go to
3. Government accepts Printing Industries’ advice
The
Commonwealth Government has accepted Printing Industries’ recommendation
to extend the Export Market Development Grants scheme (EMDG ) by 5 years until
the end of 2010-11. Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister, Mr
Mark Vaile, said the Government would legislate to extend the EMDG scheme for a
further five years. Mr Vaile said that in 2004-05, the EMDG scheme
delivered 3,277 grants valued at $123.9 million to Australian businesses.
Of these grants, 77 per cent went to small businesses with annual incomes
of $5 million or less.
He said
extending the scheme would create greater certainty for Australian exporters to
plan long-term export promotion activities safe with the knowledge
that the EMDG scheme would be there to help. For further information go to
Printnet.
4. PIAA Bid for Succession Plan project
Printing Industries is requesting the Federal Government support for a two-year succession planning program for the printing industry. The Association is applying for funds from the Commonwealth Government's Small Business Entrepreneurship Program - Succession Planning. The program will primarily target small and medium business owners looking to profitably exit the industry over the next 5 years, with a key secondary objective to reduce the likelihood of business closure at the point of, or shortly after the business changing ownership. To read more go to Printnet
5. Employer / RTO Relationship for Printing Apprentices and Traineeships
The attached Q&A scorecard has been developed by Printing Industries as part of a project funded by the Innovation and Business Skills Council (IBSA) to develop material to help employers gain a better understanding of vocational education and training.
Rob Gullan, who is managing the project, would appreciate feedback on whether the scorecard is a useful approach and if so, what improvements could be made. Rob can be contacted on rob@printnet.com.au or by calling 03 9291 5340.
6. Printing & Graphic Arts (Multimedia) Course at RMIT
There are some vacancies for 2006 in ICGT’s new Certificate IV in Printing & Graphic Arts (Multimedia) Course. The course gives students an opportunity to gain Prepress and Multimedia skills by participating in a one-year, full time program. For further information contact Fay Mitchell at RMIT on 03 9925 9446.
7. Customer Service – 28 March
Customer Service is recognised widely as a key differentiator for your business. Do you have time to spend coaching your front line staff in what you consider to be superior customer service? Printing Industries is conducting a one-day customer service workshop to equip all staff who interact with customers both internally and externally. The programme will provide individuals with the specific knowledge, skills and behaviours that customers notice, appreciate and value. If you would like to understand what this course covers, please go to Printnet
8. Clean Up Business Day
Similar to last year, a Clean-Up Business Day is scheduled for February 28 2006. The day provides an opportunity for Australian businesses to help improve the quality of the environment and work towards reducing waste.
Participation shows how you can:
To read more go to Business Clean-Up Day
9. Students seeks Pre-Press Position
A Mauritius born student with skills in Graphic Design, Prepress and Multimedia is seeking full time employment. He lives in Malvern but is prepared to travel anywhere in Metro Melbourne. Currently working in Customer Service in retail, he wishes to commence his career in our industry. He has studied at Cambridge International College in central Melbourne and Swinburne University, Prahran. If you are interested in his resume, please contact Michelle Eeles
10. Training Courses
Print Sales March 9, 10, 30, 31
Customer Service March 28
Print Production Management April 11, 12, 13
Costing and Estimating for Printers July 10, 11
New Manager/Supervisor August 22, 23, 24
Go to Printnet or contact Michelle for a complete list of our upcoming training courses.
11. What’s On
To find out What’s on in the world of print go to What’s On.
And Finally
Petrol prices are so high that when a university student pulled into a gas station and asked for 2 dollar’s worth, the attendant dabbed some behind her ears.
The Team at Printing Industries Association of Australia
18 - 20 Queens Avenue
Hawthorn Vic 3122
P 61 3 9819 6144
F 61 3 9819 6292
michelle@printnet.com.au
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