PPI Association today announced the launch of its industry education initiative, WhyVizComm. WhyVizComm's mission is:

To support the future of the evolving visual communications industry by attracting creative and innovative talent to the workforce and providing them with the tools and opportunity to discover the diverse careers available to them in printing, packaging, graphic design and digital media.

The nation's third largest manufacturing employer group, the printing industry is diversifying into full service communications delivery systems due to the growth of digital media technology and shifting market demands. Regional industry leaders called upon the PPI Association and the Pacific Printing Industries Educational Trust to create a career educational program that would attract students and graduates to visual communications.

"The WhyVizComm initiative," according to Jules Van Sant, Executive Director of PPI, "will infuse new energy and creativity that is needed to bring many companies into full service capabilities." She added, "We are in the communications business, whether it is a magazine, brochure, web site or social media. Our customers want one-stop-services and our job is to have the leadership and talent to deliver to market demands."

The WhyVizComm.org web site is the focal point in the educational program strategy. Centralizing the wealth of information available to career seekers, WhyVizComm.org creates easy access to a YouTube educational library, career information, job descriptions, job search web sites, networking strategies, talent and skills competitions, "green" business practices, and more. Van Sant shared, "Our portal-like web site is only one component of our outreach strategy. We are connecting with our targeted youth market through various social media, on-campus posters and flyers, a mentor program, and, of course, working the job fairs and career days. We hope to build interest in visual communications as a career path among students in our region."

WhyVizComm.org has been published and will continue to evolve to ensure fresh content, tools and resources. Anticipating a strong web presence in the printing and graphic communications job search segment, PPI is offering ground-floor sponsorship opportunities that will include brand exposure in Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In and print advertising. Additionally, PPI is developing a syndication of WhyVizComm.org to affiliate associations, creating broader exposure and value to sponsors. The program's goal is to become self-funding and to contribute back to the Educational Trust, making funds available for student and intern scholarships.