A YOUNG printing industry leader is keen to share how mentorship and support can help emerging professionals build long-term career security in print.<\/p>\n
Trent Bowes is production manager at Revolution Print in Alfredton and Victoria’s regional representative with the Visual Media Association’s The Inkers – Make Your Mark initiative.<\/p>\n
The new nation-wide initiative aims to support apprentices and early-career professionals across the print, packaging and design industries through mentorship, leadership development and peer networks to improve skills retention and career progression.<\/p>\n
“The whole aim is to target apprenticeships and cadetships and keep apprentices and cadets in the workforce because at the moment only about 50 percent of those who start an apprenticeship in print complete it,” Mr Bowes said.<\/p>\n
“The non-completion rate is too high and you’ve got to ask the question as to why.”<\/p>\n
Mr Bowes said that while the printing sector has changed a lot, the industry is evolving all the time and remains much in demand.<\/p>\n
He said The Inkers aims to support those aged 35 and under and those who have been in the industry for less than five years to stay in it.<\/p>\n
“We’re looking at having a mentor-mentee program up and running in the next six months, and more social networking events where people from different workplaces and different types of printing can socialise and meet others in the industry,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Bowes was part of The Inkers – Make Your Mark debut event held at Revolution Print earlier in the month.<\/p>\n
It brought together apprentices, employers and industry leaders to discuss attracting and retaining the next generation of talent.<\/p>\n
“It was awesome it went really well,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Leon Wilson, the owner of Revolution Print did a full tour of the site here and the panel which was myself and two other colleagues explored what we can do to help others.”<\/p>\n
After six years in the business at Revolution Print, Mr Bowes is keen to promote printing as a solid career choice and to share what he loves most about it.<\/p>\n
“We are printing people dreams,” said Mr Bowes who started out by completing graphic design studies through Federation University.<\/p>\n
“What’s in their heads we’re putting on paper and creating it for them.”<\/p>\n
More details about The Inkers – Make Your Mark can be found through the Visual Media Association’s website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A YOUNG printing industry leader is keen to share how mentorship and support can help emerging professionals build long-term career security in print. Trent Bowes is production manager at Revolution Print in Alfredton and Victoria’s regional representative with the Visual Media Association’s The Inkers – Make Your Mark initiative. The new nation-wide initiative aims to […]<\/p>\n