The Canadian Printing Industry Sector Council released its third human resource paper, “Filling the Gap.” According to the CPISC report on “Filling Employee Shortages,” there are two major problems − how to leverage the benefits of new technologies and how to find new employees who are capable of operating complex, high-speed equipment.
It is well known that 50 per cent of our labour force is over 45 years of age. In 10 years, a lot of these people may be retiring, which means the growth and development of our industry depends on us marketing the benefits of working in print to the next generation.
Congratulations to Dan Mustata and his team for acquiring the Graphics Canada Show. Dan is an experienced show coordinator, and I know he will do everything in his power to make Graphics Canada a great show. Even if all the major players are not present this year, Dan understands the ebb and flows of the industry and realizes that they will be back in 2011.
Graphics Canada has many exciting conferences in store this year. Check out “Why it is a good time to buy an offset press,” which will include a panel of Canadian printers outlining the pros and cons of the new offset presses. Where else can you get this first hand information from actual print shop owners who have run these machines? For this event and many more interesting happenings at Graphics Canada this year, visit www.graphicscanada.com
Dr. Joe Webb will be giving the keynote address before the opening of Graphics Canada on Thursday, November 12. See this month’s For the Record (page 26) in which Kristen Read interviews with Dr. Webb. The article contains an interesting graph that displays projections for the next five years in the industry. Get out to Graphics Canada and ask the experts what these projections really mean. I urge you to be critical of these figures and predictions. Years ago, we heard that all printing was going to be outsourced to other countries, yet it hasn’t happened. Make sure to ask the critical questions that everyone has on their minds. Where else can you get so many advisors under one roof?
The Canadian Printing Association is running a panel discussion in conjunction with Graphics Canada, November 11-12 at the Westin Bristol Place on Dixie Rd. This is a must attend event of the year for owners and senior print managers. There will be keynote speakers, growth strategies, technology advancement ideas, panel discussions and much more. For more information call 1-800-267-7280 or visit www.strategy09.ca
Graphic Arts Magazine will be at the top of Hall 2, at booth 2011 (the same location we had at the last Graphics Canada show), so stop by and say hello. Don’t forget to enter our draw when you stop by.
I hope you have had time to check out our new website at www.graph icartsmag.com. We have been getting great reviews and people are very impressed with the new video section.
Until next time, have a fantastic Graphics Canada show, and stay positive and stay focused.
