Promoting the industry ~ Focused on Members Success
Promoting the industry ~ Focused on Members Success
What is PrintForce
The PrintForce workforce development
initiative is made up of four goals. They are:
1.
PrintED certification of high school and
two-year college programs
2.
Career awareness of students, parents and
the community
3.
Continuing education for employees, using
the established educational institutions throughout the Carolinas
4.
New teacher development
·
What is Graphic Communications?
Graphic Communications-the creation, development, production, and
dissemination of products utilizing or incorporating words,
illustrations, or photographic images to convey information, ideas,
feelings, and concepts; this includes the family of market segments
which embrace existing and emerging technologies of printing,
publishing, packaging, conventional and digital imaging, and their
allied industries; often referred to as the graphic arts or print
industries.
Graphic Communications companies create and produce a spectrum of
products which are part of daily life. Examples include; books,
magazines, catalogs, newspapers, web pages, multimedia, electronic
media, illustrations, photographs, brochures, pamphlets, inserts,
directories, direct mail, stationery, greeting cards, invitations, maps,
coupons, tickets, forms, checks, currency, stamps, tags, labels, bumper
stickers, decals, nameplates, signs, billboards, posters, displays,
banners, textile products (clothing, sheets, bedspreads, etc.), packages
(toothpaste and cosmetic tubes, boxes, cartons, sacks and bags, cans,
bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, and pouches), wallcoverings, linoleum,
carpets and rugs, china, cups, plates, napkins, fine art prints,
promotional products (pens, pencils, key tags, portfolios, pocket items,
desk items, drinkware, rulers, wearables, balloons, mouse pads, etc.),
and other items where printing is incorporated into the manufacture of
furniture, electronic circuit boards, clock faces, computer keys,
cabinet tops, appliances, vehicles, and others.
The field of Graphic Communications encompasses all the printing
processes (offset lithography, flexography, letterpress, gravure, screen
printing, engraving, foil stamping, inkjet, direct digital, and other
electronic imaging or specialty image reproduction methods), and all
phases from the origination of the idea, design and preparation through
finishing and distribution of the product whether it be two or
three-dimensional or by some electronic media.
Graphic Communications, the United States' third largest manufacturing
industry, requires hundreds of thousands of people in a variety of
challenging occupations which require creative, technical, production,
management, sales, marketing, engineering, customer service, education,
or other professional expertise.
This industry is widespread and with more integration of the many
segments falling under the term Graphic Communications, it appears
necessary to highlight this field's many career opportunities. Few if
any of these various industry segments are endowed with a ready pool of
prospective new employees. This effort will help spread the word among
our nation's young people that opportunities exist in this field.
·
Careers in Graphic Communications
PICA offers the Resume Register for
qualified people looking for positions in the Carolinas printing
industry. People already employed at PICA member firms must have the
permission of the president or PICA's main contact to submit their
resume.
To submit your resume, you may send a PDF
or Word document to PICA or fax it to (704) 357-1150. There is no charge
for this service.
A paragraph synopsis of your resume will be
published in the PICATalk email newsletter to all member companies in
North and South Carolina. Interested companies will then contact PICA to
receive your actual resume via fax or other means. This is by far the
most popular member service PICA offers.
There are many career opportunities in the
field of Graphic Communications. Turn your interests into a great career
by checking out this poster! Ask your teacher or guidance counselor for
more information.
ART/DESIGN
Advertising production coordinator; art director; creative director;
CAD/CAM designer; cartoonist; commercial artist; computer graphics;
embosser; graphic artist; graphics consultant; illustrator; image
assembler; package designer; screen printer.
COLOR
Art director; electronic prepress; color matcher; color proofer; graphic
designer; illustrator; image assembler; ink formulator; package
designer.
COMPUTERS
CAD/CAM designer; computer graphics artist; desktop publisher;
electronic image assembler; industrial designer; package designer;
quality control specialist; systems analyst; magazine or book
distributor.
ELECTRONICS
Camera operator; color electronic prepress system operator; electronic
technician/maintenance specialist; laser scanner operator; press
operator.
ENGINEERING
Electronic engineer; engineering technician; industrial, mechanical, or
chemical engineer; plant and work-flow layout specialist; research and
development engineer; systems engineer; time study technician.
ENGLISH
Advertising copywriter; desktop publisher; editor; journalist;
marketing/promotion specialist; proofreader; publications manager;
publicist; public relations specialist; reporter; researcher; staff
writer.
MANAGEMENT/BUSINESS
Advertising director; circulation director; editor/managing editor;
general manager; human resources director; marketing director; printing
systems manager; production manager; publisher; supervisor; treasurer.
MATHEMATICS
Accountant; estimator; market researcher; purchasing agent; print buyer;
quality control supervisor; statistical process control specialist;
treasurer.
MECHANICS
Binding and finishing technician; converter; equipment installation
specialist; press operator; maintenance engineer; screen printer.
OPERATIONS
Incoming materials specialist; purchasing manager; scheduler;
traffic/transportation director; warehousing director.
PEOPLE/PERSONNEL
Customer service representative; human resources specialist; office
manager; personnel manager; sales representative; supervisor; technical
sales representative; training specialist.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Art director; commercial photographer; digital camera operator;
photojournalist; graphic designer.
SALES/MARKETING
Account executive; customer service rep; equipment supply salesperson;
market analyst; paper salesperson; printing salesperson; print marketing
manager; sales manager; technical representative.
SCIENCE
Printing ink chemist; research/development technician; ink/paper
industry physicist; safety specialist; inspector of incoming materials.
What will PrintForce do for my company?
The goal of PrintForce is to increase significantly the number of
quality, skilled workers available to the Carolina’s printing industry.
How will PrintForce make a difference?
The strategy behind PrintForce is to improve the infrastructure of
printing education in the Carolinas at the high school, vocational, and
two-year school level; to promote the industry through a significant
career awareness effort; to employ a continuing education and training
program for industry employees; and to create a Printing Education
Teacher Recruitment Effort (PETRE), involving a nationally recognized
university.
Do I have to be a PICA member to support this program?
No. PrintForce is a workforce development program designed to help the
entire Carolina’s printing industry, regardless of your membership
status with PICA.
Who will benefit from PrintForce?
Everyone. PrintForce is a far reaching effort that will impact the
entire printing industry from newspapers to commercial printers to
packaging converters and tag and label.
Who will guide PrintForce?
PrintForce will be guided cooperatively by Committee Chairman Ralph
Moore of Commercial Printing in Raleigh; the PICA Foundation; Terrie
Duncan, PrintForce Project Manager; and Jeff Stoudt, Vice President of
Education.
How can I contribute to this worthwhile cause?
Fill out this PrintForce pledge card and send it to us.
Why is the campaign goal for PrintForce $2,000,000?
The plans for PrintForce require expenditures of approximately $200,000
per year to develop and implement the programs previously discussed. An
additional $1,000,000 will be placed in an endowment to provide long
term capital for the continuation of PrintForce. Additionally, products
and services will be solicited to supplement these programs.
Exactly how will the first $1,000,000 be spent?
Of the $1,000,000 earmarked for the development and implementation of
PrintForce, $400,000 will support the Career Awareness Effort, $300,000
will be allocated to the Printing Education Infrastructure Improvement
Program, $250,000 will be directed to the Continuing Education and
Training Effort, and $50,000 to the Printing Education Teacher
Recruitment Effort.
What is expected of my company? How can my company
contribute to PrintForce?
A goal of the campaign is that all printers contribute an equitable
portion of the cost of PrintForce: $30 per year per full time employee
for five years.
What about the other side of the industry?
Manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors are being asked to contribute to
PrintForce a minimum of their sales to the Carolina’s printing industry.
It is important to remember that the success of PrintForce will impact
those businesses as well.
How will PrintForce benefit printing companies of all
sizes?
PrintForce will insure that enough skilled, quality workers exist to
satisfy the needs of the small business as well as the large. The
efforts of PrintForce will greatly increase the pool of knowledgeable,
skilled workers available to the industry.
|
Secondary Schools |
"PrintForce" A PICA Foundation
Workforce Development Initiative for the Next Millennium
The very worn cliche, "necessity is
the mother of invention," is appropriate here. In a period of virtually
full employment it becomes necessary to deal with an issue as old as
printing itself. Most people have come to their careers in printing by
accident. Today this accidental source is insufficient in both quantity
and quality. The industry is as technical as any, more so than many, and
yet still a custom business, and customer centered. This describes an
employment demand for high capacities in both personal and technical
attributes. PICA has acknowledged that nothing less than a formal and
full-blown approach is required. This is the short story behind the
Workforce Development Initiative, called PrintForce.
The initial three components include:
·
PrintEd certification of high school and
two-year college programs;
·
Career Awareness by students, parents and
the community at large;
·
Continuing Education for employees, using
the established educational institutions throughout the two States
A fourth component must be added to
the original initiatives if PrintForce is to succeed in the long run.
·
New Teacher Development.
With an aging population of educators
and no existing source, it quickly became imperative that "teacher
development" had to become an inherent part of this overall initiative.
Everyone agrees that the quality of the classroom program is almost
exclusively determined by the qualities of the teacher. A concept
proposal has been prepared to communicate the details.
PrintEd certification is the
responsibility of each school. The structure is in place. PrintForce is
needed to expedite this process, providing assistance to removal of
barriers including administrative, financial and other realities costing
time. PrintEd is not an assurance of quality in education, but rather a
tool which raises potential and stimulates other positive actions. There
will be numerous other teachers and curriculum related activities to
provide energy for continuous improvement. PrintForce must be used as a
tool by educators to elevate their own skills and programs.
Career Awareness is a key component
and is enormous in scope. The education professionals who touch all
students need to be reached. These include counselors, administrators
and other teachers, especially those in areas of art and journalism and
those who work on the yearbook staff. A field test conducted during the
Charlotte Show demonstrated the potential of special career centered
events. The March 12 experience proved that the career opportunities in
the printing industry are actually very attractive to a broad cross
section of educators. Such events are needed in communities throughout
the Carolinas. Similar efforts must be carried out to reach parents and
ultimately the students themselves. Substantial staff focus must be
directed to these efforts.
Other career awareness activities will
include summer day camps in the schools and science and art museums.
Junior Achievement also offers potential for career awareness
activities. Local industry volunteers will be a critical component of
the successful achievements in all career-oriented activities.
Continuing Education is an ongoing
responsibility of PICA. As part of the PrintForce initiative increased
offerings must be developed to advance the careers of the technical
workforce. The two-year community colleges are seen as the greatest
potential resource for such activities. PrintForce must do the lead work
to develop this potential to deliver high quality training and education
so people at various stages in their careers will have the services to
raise their skills and knowledge as required to advance up their career
ladders. While the colleges and programs are in place, the offerings are
not. Along with needs analysis, course development and marketing, there
will have to be commitment from the industry to supply top quality
instructors to conduct such courses.
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The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA)
PO Box 19488, Charlotte, NC 28219-9488
3601 Rose Lake Drive (28217)
(704) 357-1150 || (704) 357-1154 (fax)
General Email, click here. || For individual staff email addresses, click here.
© 2010 The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA)
