The newly formed Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition has elected a board of directors and executive officers, and among them is PPAI Public Affairs Manager Maurice Norris. The coalition consists of concerned associations, educators and industry representatives and was created to coordinate the efforts of organizations representing the broad scope of the graphic communications industry to create awareness, recruit new people into the industry, provide a framework for apprenticeship and training programs, and retain the existing workforce. To date, 36 organizations have joined the group.

The coalition board includes:
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 new initiative addresses the top issue that faces the industry today: 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. The coalition is actively seeking service providers and industry vendors to join both its membership and to represent their constituencies on the board. Those interested in participating can click here. Currently, there is no cost to join, only the desire to participate in the process. For more information, or to answer any questions about the Coalition, contact Melissa Ferrari at melissa@sgia.org or John Berthelsen at jberthelsen@printing.org or 608-575-3904.