Hi friends, I’m back! This is Morten B. Reitoft, editor of INKISH. It’s been wonderful writing these Ultimate TechnoGraphics blog posts. The next topic is, however, challenging to write about. The headline says it all – how to attract new talent to our industry.
Difficulties attracting young talent
All industries have difficulties attracting young talent, and there are many reasons for this. One essential thing that applies to all industries is that the current generations are small. There are fewer young people, so the young generations can pick and choose as they like. So if they can pick and choose, why aren’t they picking print? I believe the most important reason is to find inside our industry. When you ask laymen about printing, most think of newspapers, telephone books, and household-distributed brochures. All of these are disappearing, and therefore young people may see the industry as dying. Part of the issue is also that our industry is aging. We can’t change that fact, but we don’t market our industry much to young people and show them all the beautiful products and services we produce.
What I have learned
What I have learned, however, is that our industry isn’t dying and also that the young people that accept the offer to visit us are surprised by the diversity of products from wallpaper, decor, printed electronics, signage, textile/fashion, to more standardized printed products, and when they get behind the scene and learn that print is both about technology, computers, IT, as well as great designs, tactile products, fashion, and even products, they never thought of being print – they are hooked.
Our industry has unfortunately also forgotten to market the great thing we can by, of course, using the means we produce ourselves. However, we live in a world where we use many different channels, so, of course, we need to extend the marketing of our services to the Internet and to where prospects, customers, and young talents are to be found.
We also need to embrace new technology even more and use it to maximize the value of print
Between Christmas and New Year last year, I interviewed a young designer from the Netherlands, who, together with a friend, decided to make an online poster shop, and instead of only selling their designs, they also used DALL·E to create art they could sell. I have also covered several companies that successfully develop robot solutions and bring new technology to the forefront.
Printing is a high-tech industry
Today the printing industry is high-tech, and if you take Ultimate TechnoGraphics as an example. They have developed software that enables printing companies to automate all the tedious and repetitive processes. This means that young people that will work in the printing industry, first and foremost, will have less hard physical labor. Still, they will also be able to use the newest and latest technology. Whether you are a designer, an engineer, a print operator, a programmer, or work within sales and/or administration, the printing industry has it all.
The only issue is that nobody knows – so we as an industry should start a global marketing campaign, showing all the beautiful things we offer.
Are you looking for a challenge?
Suppose you are a young person who has not yet decided where you want to be. In that case, I can tell you that besides the great products, and the amazing technology, you will meet some of the nicest people – smart, fun, and with a knowledge that I don’t think can be found anywhere else!
Morten B. Reitoft
Editor-in-Chief
INKISH