Trainees fit to print

One of Brisbane’s largest specialised printing companies has tapped into the Career Advice Australia network to help meet its critical need for skilled employees.

Managing Director of Print Works, Paul Scanlon, took the initiative by calling some local schools to look at forming partnerships and to tell young people, teachers and parents about opportunities in the printing industry—and to source potential apprentices.

The schools referred Mr Scanlon to the Local Community Partnership, who then contacted the Regional Industry Career Adviser for North Brisbane/Sunshine Coast.

The result of their cooperation was immediate—in late 2006, Print Works took on four Year 11 and 12 students from Aspley State High School, St Josephs Nudgee College and Bracken Ridge State High School for Structured Workplace Learning placements. One of them has gone on to take up a full-time apprenticeship in 2007.

Adopt a School spin-off, and more

The success of the Structured Workplace Learning inspired Print Works to develop a pilot Adopt a School project with the help of the Regional Industry Career Adviser and the Local Community Partnership.

In 2007, the company is taking on up to 16 students under the project to school them in the design and printing processes involved in producing materials from corporate calendars to glossy brochures and reports.

The students will rotate around the different parts of the production process so they gain an understanding of all facets of the business.

As the final product required under the Adopt a School guidelines, they will be responsible for designing and producing their own school’s yearbook.

To make an even richer mix of school/business partnership activity, Print Works sends guest speakers to the school, Year 10 students tour the printing works, and teachers are invited to take up work placements with the company.

Benefits for school and industry

The Adopt a School project is flexible enough to meet both business and school needs.

The Local Community Partnership and the Regional Industry Career Adviser played a coordinating role in establishing what Print Works wanted from the project in terms of recruitment and their corporate goals, and what the school wanted for students in terms of hands-on learning and work experience.

For Print Works, the benefits are many. ‘We’ve formed valuable networks already, we get to see potential employees in the workplace, and we can give back to the community and industry,’ Paul Scanlon says

‘Plus we get the first opportunity to have these young people through our apprenticeship program.’

Contact

Travis Windsor
Ph: 0448 852 739