Proskills UK has launched the eighth annual PrintIT! competition to encourage students to consider careers in the print and paper industries.
The PrintIT! Initiative aims to show students, teachers and parents that print and paper industries are advanced, exciting, dynamic and provide a good career choice. It is targeted at students studying GCSE and A Level Graphic Products and Product Design, and the Diplomas in Manufacturing and Product Design as well as GSCE and A Level Media studies and those working towards the Diploma in Creative and Media.
The launch of the 2012/13 programme coincides with the academic year and is open for registration at any point during the school term. Proskills said that the results of a survey from participating 2011/12 schools demonstrates how the initiative continues to meet its objectives and has become a valuable aid to teachers.
The survey concluded that 92% of teachers said they thought PrintIT! gave students a better insight into the career possibilities of print and paper industries and 84% of teacher thought their students enjoyed taking part in the PrintIT! programme.
One parent said: ‘What a great initiative PrintIT! Is, It’s easy to think about careers such as accounting or medicine but this initiative is opening up children’s minds to other careers out there that are easily dismissed.’
Furthermore, after taking part in the PrintIT! competition the number of participating students interested in a career or some work experience in the industries doubled.
Nigel Hawke, from TJ International, winner of the Best Twinner Award 2011/2012, said: ‘UK manufacturing as a whole urgently needs more schemes like this and at TJ International we are proud to be associated with the ground breaking PrintIT!-scheme.’
Since its launch in 2005, over 110,000 students have participated in the curriculum-mapped competition to create a print-based promotional campaign introducing students to today’s dynamic, IT-intensive printing industry and the wide variety of careers it offers. PrintIT! also includes a twinning programme that adds a vocational element by introducing schools to local print businesses that are willing to give students the chance to experience the industry at first hand.
Schools have the opportunity to twin with either a printer or paper manufacturer in their local area via a new interactive section of the PrintIT! website. Teachers will be able to locate the 20 nearest twinning partners to their school and contact them directly to arrange a twinning visit.
Tony Lock, PrintIT! chairman and managing director of Duplo UK said: ‘Our world is changing and print and paper, like many industries, are deeply affected by these changes. For print and paper to adapt to this new world and thrive we need a pool of young, enthusiastic talent. We all know we have two wonderful industries. It’s only by us all engaging with schools, exciting these young people and showing them what dynamic and creative industries print and paper are, that we will attract the best talent to come and work in our industries. We are very fortunate to have a readymade vehicle for this.’
Ian Aspley, general manager at Proskills UK, said: ‘PrintIT! offers a significant opportunity for suppliers, printers and paper companies to be associated with what has become the UK’s largest Schools into Industry Programme. It helps to attract young people into the industry by getting them involved in this dynamic programme and raises their understanding of what an exciting and ever developing industry print and paper is.;
Contact: www.printit.org.uk
