The U.S.-based Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition (GCWC) has completed a comprehensive survey of the industry and released a whitepaper detailing results and recommended actions. The paper titled Workforce Concerns in Graphic Communications was a direct result of another industry survey taken earlier this year. Respondents included all areas of the industry – including service providers, suppliers, associations and schools. The whitepaper was researched and written by Donna Painter (Millersville University), Steve Bonoff (Printing Industry Midwest), Jeff Peterson (Foil & Special Effects Association) and Justin Egresitz (Millersville University). It includes a summary of the findings as well as a key section on how organizations can be a part of the solution. This includes several recommendations for actions that can be taken by companies, organizations and schools. GCWC added that career awareness is a key item on the GCWC agenda, and this important information is part of its work to promote and support the printing and graphic communications industry. The new whitepaper can be downloaded by going to the GCWC website at https://gccoalition.org/news.
Created in 2019, GCWC membership currently consists of over 50 organizations from all spectrums of the printing and graphic communications industry from across North America. The group comprises concerned associations, educators, and industry representatives (service providers and suppliers) who are united to address this key concern. The purpose of the coalition is to coordinate the efforts of all organizations representing the broad scope of the printing and graphic communications industry for creating awareness, recruitment of new people into the industry, providing a framework for apprenticeship and training programs, and the retention of the existing workforce. “By combining the separate efforts, experiences and initiatives of various organizations, coordinating actions, and the sharing of ideas and resources, it’s expected that all will benefit,” the organization added.
Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition releases whitepaper on workforce concerns
