Here's a novel idea: take lots of high school and college/post secondary students. Get 600 national corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions together and see if you can't find some common ground to train the next generation in skilled trades. Check out
this article from Xerox that details just that--it happened in Louisville, Kentucky June 19-23 where an organization called SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference put on a student competition in a wide range of industries--digital printing was well represented-- where they completed tasks as they related to digital printing. Xerox and EFI helped the students complete pre-press, printing and finishing tasks on six Xerox presses with EX Print Servers powered by Fiery. The accomplishments demonstrated proficiency and interest in key skills needed in the digital printing workplace.
Here are some statistical facts you might want to look at based on a recent study conducted by several Printing Industries of America affiliates:
- Over 50 percent of the respondents to this survey said 30-50 percent of their workforce would retire in the next 5-10 years.
- Over two-thirds of the respondents said the median age in an offset pressroom is over 45 years-old.
According to this article, the answer to an educated workforce in the printing industry is a recommitment to training--and not just the four year kind but providing skilled trades education may be the path for some in this industry.