UK print bodies tackle talent shortage

Nine UK print and packaging trade associations have met to develop a coordinated strategy for tackling the industry's growing workforce crisis, agreeing on a collaborative action plan focused on talent attraction, development and retention.

The meeting, held on February 19 at Fujifilm's Bedford site, was convened by Joanna Stephenson, managing director of Think B2B Marketing and co-founder of Young People In Print (YPIP). Representatives attended from the Independent Print Industries Association, Graphics and Print Media Alliance, Sheet Plant Association, Flexo Industry Association UK, Confederation of Paper Industries, British Printing Industries Federation, British Coatings Federation, British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association and the Printing Industry Confederation.

Discussions identified poor public perception of the industry, competition from more attractive sectors, weak links with the education system, and gaps in training and compensation as the key barriers to building a sustainable workforce pipeline. A presentation by a young Fujifilm employee, contrasting their expectations of the industry before joining with the reality of working in it, was highlighted as a defining moment of the day.

Participants agreed that greater alignment across associations is essential to achieving industry-wide impact and committed to reconvening later this year to review progress.

'Workforce development is not a challenge owned by any single organization, but one that affects the entire print and packaging ecosystem,' said Stephenson, adding that the meeting laid the groundwork for a more connected approach to promoting the industry's strengths and securing the talent it needs for the future.