Despite automation, there is no print without the personnel that creates it. Concerns about a lack of qualified staff are probably as old as the printing industry. However, a tell-tale sign of the ongoing shortages is that, despite all the problems besetting the printing industry lately, finding staff is still among the top challenges.

Data from the Netherlands is a good example of the changes in the workforce in a country with a mature printing industry. The average age of employees in the graphic communications industry in the Netherlands increased considerably. In 2000, it was 39.2 years, in 2010, it was 42.3 years, and in 2020, it had already moved to 46.1 years. Although the total industry employment decreased a lot as well, it indicates a rapid aging of the workforce. The chart below shows how this differs from the general employment breakdown by age group. It is obvious that the graphic communications industry has a challenge in attracting young talent.

Source: KVGO—Grafimedia in cijfers 2020