The newly formed Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition has elected a board of directors and its executive officers. The group consists of concerned associations, educators and industry representatives who are uniting to address a key industry concern. As stated in its organizing documents, “The purpose of the coalition will be to coordinate the efforts of all organizations representing the broad scope of the 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 is expected that all will benefit.”

To date, 36 organizations have joined the group, with additional interested parties welcome to sign on. The board consists of the following members:

Judy Durham, Association for Print Technologies
Wayne Lynn, Lynn Consulting
Donna Painter, Millersville University
Jeff Stoudt, PICA
Teresa Campbell, PIA Mid-America
John Berthelsen, PGSF
Dino Scalia, Print Link
Paul Foster, Printing & Graphics Association MidAtlantic
Maurice Norris, Promotional Products Association International
Melissa Ferrari, Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)
Jessica Johnson, TLMI

The elected officers are:

Chair – Melissa Ferrari, SGIA
Vice-Chair – Judy Durham, AP Tech
Secretary – John Berthelsen, PGSF
Treasurer – Donna Painter, Millersville University
At-large – Jeff Stoudt, PICA
At-large – Maurice Norris, PPAI

This important new initiative addresses the number one issue that faces the industry today. That is the recruitment, retention and training of its workforce. Numerous studies and surveys have documented that this is a major concern for nearly every company in the industry. Various associations and individual companies have taken steps to address this issue, but there has never been an organized joint effort. The Coalition will serve to bring together and focus efforts and energy for the mutual benefit of all parties.

Membership is open to interested parties representing a broad spectrum of the graphic communications industry. This includes associations, vendors to the industry, educational institutions and all areas of print and graphic communications service providers. Those interested in participating are encouraged to use this link https://app.donorview.com/kwMW to join the group. Currently, there is no cost to join, only the desire to participate in the process. The coalition is actively seeking service providers and industry vendors to both its membership and to represent their constituencies on the board.

For more information, or to answer any questions about the Coalition please contact Melissa Ferrari at [email protected] or John Berthelsen at [email protected] or 608-575-3904.