Australia’s Future Print training programme is “exceeding all expectations”, according to Printing Industries’ Joan Grace.

More than 131 new trainees have started work and 85 businesses signed up under the new model, a tenfold increase since the start of February.

Grace, who is Printing Industries general manager for innovation, training and employment, says the results show the industry is embracing the new model: “About a quarter of trainees are entirely new to the industry – which is a great result – with the balance made up of existing workers whose employers have taken the opportunity to upskill their people to meet predicted future needs.”

She says consultation with the AMWU, a partner in the project, and other stakeholders is providing valuable feedback. A recent focus has been industry progression benchmarks which will be used to assess trainee progress and determine their wage progression.

“We are in the middle of running meetings with businesses in the precincts to ensure the training and assessment model is meeting their requirements and have also met again with RTOs to ensure they are on board with the changes we are making across the country,” says Grace. “Feedback at these meetings is positive with the industry beginning to really grasp the important role they have to play in making this project a success.”

Some 33 vacancies are currently advertised on the group’s website at www.FuturePrint.org.au