Printing Industries of America (PIA) has launched a new Group Purchasing Initiative for skills training through its iLearning Center training center. The aim of the program is to provide affordable and accessible training opportunities for organizations within the printing industry at a bulk purchase rate.

“With the average age of a press room employee nearly reaching 48 years of age, it is apparent that training the next generation of printing industry staff is of the utmost importance,” said Julie Shaffer, Vice President of Education and Marketing Strategies for the Printing Industries of America. “By filling this need for affordable, accessible training solutions, our goal is to strengthen the industry by helping to close the skills gap and aid companies in recruiting and retaining quality employees.”

Normally $295 per individual, the new group purchasing rates allow for significant cost savings to the employer.  PIA member companies can receive a reduced rate of $195 per seat when purchasing five or more subscriptions and $175 per seat for 15 or more subscriptions. Non-members may also take advantage of the program at $260 per seat with a 5-seat minimum and $235 per seat with a 15-seat minimum. Additional price reductions are available for any company wishing to purchase more than 50 subscriptions.

The iLearning Center has more than 33 courses available in print fundamentals, pre-press, color management, customer service, sales and marketing including an online version of the popular workshop, Orientation to the Graphic Arts, and six new courses by world renowned industry professional, Taz Tally. New courses are being added continually and will be accessible to subscribers at no extra charge.

For more information about the Group Purchasing Initiative or the iLearning Center, please contact Julie Shaffer at [email protected].