A cross-association meeting focused on addressing the print and packaging industry’s growing workforce challenges was held on February 19, bringing together senior trade association leaders from across the UK to drive a more unified approach to talent attraction, development, and retention.
The meeting was convened and led by Joanna Stephenson, Managing Director of packaging and print specialist marketing agency Think B2B Marketing and co-founder of voluntary organisation Young People In Print (YPIP). YPIP has an ongoing mission to champion industry collaboration and create sustainable career pathways for the next generation of print and packaging professionals.
Representatives from packaging and print trade bodies, including the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), Graphics and Print Media Alliance (GPMA), Sheet Plant Association (SPA), Flexo Industry Association UK (FIA UK), Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), British Coatings Federation (BCF), British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association (BCMPA) and the Printing Industry Confederation (PICON), alongside the YPIP team, attended the session, reflecting a shared recognition that talent attraction and retention and workforce skills shortages are a sector-wide issue requiring collective action.
The day was hosted by Fujifilm at its Bedford, UK site; one of the company’s younger employees shared their perceptions of the industry prior to joining versus the reality of working within it today, highlighting the innovation, career opportunity and creativity the sector offers. The presentation underscored the industry’s perception challenge and set the tone for the day’s discussions.
Discussions centered on several critical issues impacting the sector’s future workforce pipeline, including:
• Poor or outdated industry perception from the general public
• The need for education system development to create career pathways
• Recruitment challenges – competition with more attractive sectors
• Employer support – ability to attract and retain skilled employees
• Ability to connect with the next generation in the education system
• Training and development provisions
• Compensation and benefits
While each association outlined the work already underway within their respective organisations, and in joint initiatives, there was strong consensus that greater alignment and more joint initiatives are essential to achieving meaningful, industry-wide impact.
A collaborative action plan was developed on the day, focusing on practical initiatives to improve industry visibility, strengthen early-career pathways, and provide employers with the tools needed to attract and nurture emerging talent. For further information about Young People In Print (YPIP) and future collaboration initiatives, visit https://www.ypip.co.uk/.
