McPherson’s gives students hands-on opportunities in printing

McPherson’s Printing Group in Maryborough is actively involved in educating young people in its region, contributing to both business and community growth.

Since 2002, McPherson’s, in partnership with Maryborough Regional College and the Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network, has offered a themed Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) program focused on the printing industry.

Students in this program complete a hands-on rotation of structured workplace learning in different areas at McPherson’s. They also undertake a Certificate II in Vocational Studies (Printing and Graphic Technology) and are assessed to industry standards by RMIT University.

In the classroom, the students take Victorian Certificate of Education units in English and mathematics, and do VCAL personal development appropriate to their course.

After completing their studies, these young people will have a lot of choice. The printing industry offers many career opportunities. Trainees can remain on the production side—as an employee or owner of their own business—or move to customer service, sales, administration or management. Many senior executives in companies supplying goods and services to the printing industry began their careers as trainees or apprentices in printing.