Students, parents, teachers and careers counsellors in Brisbane have embraced the Sign & Print Career Connections initiative, with hundreds of enquiries generated on the program’s stand at the Brisbane Careers & Employment Expo this week.

The stand, which is the centrepiece of an industry-wide initiative to attract new talent to the print, sign and graphics sector, was without question one of the most popular attractions at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre with its colourful design, interactive activities, and real-world advisors.

Sarah Moore, General Manager of Visual Connections, says the number of serious enquiries being received is enormously pleasing.

“Since launching the newly-expanded program in Melbourne earlier this year, our team has fielded many hundreds of enquiries and we have seen thousands of hits to the online resource, providing that there is plenty of interest in careers in the visual communications sector,” she reports.

Again, Sarah reports that the ‘Try-A-Trade’ activities were central to engagement, with students able to get hands on with vinyl applications and heat press. On hand to assist were staff from the local TAFE, and a number of industry volunteers who were also able to provide students with a ‘real world’ perspective on the industry.

“With the number of enquiries growing at every outing, and thousands of hits to our online resource, it’s more important than ever for industry businesses to consider giving a young person the opportunity to start their career,” Sarah adds.

“If you are looking to expand your team, we would encourage you to take advantage of the interest of these very bright and motivated young people by considering offering an apprenticeship – positions can be listed on the searchable Sign & Print Career Connections online resource, so that students can locate employment opportunities, as well as training options, in their local area.”

Interested businesses can find out more about the Sign & Print Career Connections program and list apprenticeship opportunities at https://visualconnections.org.au/careerconnections

The Sign & Print Career Connections program is led by Visual Connections in partnership with all major industry associations including ASGA, FESPA Australia, the FPLMA, LIA and VMA. Major sponsors are Amari Visual Solutions, Ball & Doggett, Cactus Imaging, Fujifilm Graphic Systems, Graphic Art Mart, Mulford Australia, ORAFOL, Pozitive Sign & Graphics Supplies and Sign-a-Rama, with partnering sponsors including Böttcher, FPLMA, Hero Print,  MacDirmid Graphic Solutions and Spicers.

The next stops for the Sign & Print Career    Connections initiative will be Perth in July and Sydney in August. In the meantime, those interested can download the Sign & Print Career Connections brochure here, or visit the website to find out more.