PrintNZ chief executive Joan Grace told the trainees that modern apprenticeships are the way of the future, particularly in the printing industry and it was a privilege to attend an event that “lifts the profile of apprenticeships and the importance of on-the-job training”.
“There are around 145,000 people across all industries in New Zealand who are doing some sort of on-the-job training, in particular apprenticeships,” she said.
“These are real qualifications which are the basis of many industries, so it is important and appropriate that we recognise the achievements of these people.”
She was impressed with the development of the students and said the qualification they would come out with was in an industry that would never die.
“I believe the printing industry is an infrastructure industry, in that no business operates without printing touching them in some way,” she said.
“The future of printing is strong and there is always going to be work, from printing on T-shirts to newspapers, business cards and food labels.”
While the electronic media was a threat to printing, Mrs Grace said it should also be seen as an opportunity.
“Magazines, newspapers and books are always going to exist and people have more time and appreciation for ‘junk mail’ than many internet advertisements,” she said.
“My favourite line to young people who say they don’t need printing is ‘well who put the numbers on your cell phone?’ Even the most up-to-date pieces of technology need printed instructions — imagine a world without printing.”
With around 600 apprentices in the print industry, Mrs Grace said it was obvious people were starting to see on-the-job training as a viable option for school leavers.
