The Workforce Wake-Up Call

With a wave of retirements on the horizon and increasing competition for skilled workers, the printing industry is facing an ever-present workforce challenge. In a recent webinar, "The Workforce Wake Up Call: How Printing Industry Leaders are Attracting the Next Generation," hosted by Printing Impressions and sponsored by Canon, industry experts explored how companies can attract, develop, and retain the next generation of print professionals. The discussion highlighted innovative workforce development programs, educational initiatives, and cultural strategies designed to help businesses thrive in a changing labor landscape. The event hosted the following panelists: Christian Kropac Jr., president, PCI Group; Jeffrey White, director of development, FGCE; Dianne Bullas, director, educator resources, FGCE; and Adriane Harrison, vice president, human resources, consulting, PRINTING United Alliance.

“About 3 to 4 million baby boomers leave the workforce every year,” Harrison noted. “That works out to be 11,000 each day. That's a lot, and we need to replace these people because – while there are other stopgap measures – a lot of times, you just need another person to fill that spot.”

At the same time, the industry must continue expanding its talent pipeline by introducing more students and job seekers to careers in print. That effort is a key focus of the Foundation for Graphic Communication Education (FGCE), which provides scholarships, grants, educational support, and professional development opportunities for students pursuing careers in graphic communications.

Jeff White, director of development for FGCE, highlighted a disconnect that continues to hinder recruitment efforts.

“The top two things that are really scary is that 80% of the printers that I had spoken to and surveyed were not aware of local schools or graphic arts programs, which I thought that was unbelievable,” he said. “Second, high schools and secondary educators weren't aware of nearby schools that they could reach out to get help, so I think that's a real disconnect that we have right now in the industry.”

White stressed that solving the industry's workforce challenges will require greater engagement between printers and educators. From supporting local graphic arts programs and attending recruitment events to creating mentorship opportunities, he shared several practical ways companies can connect with future talent and raise awareness of the diverse career paths available in print.

Those efforts are only part of the broader workforce conversation. Throughout the event, the panelists also discussed company culture, employee development, retention strategies, and the role industry organizations can play in strengthening the talent pipeline. Their insights offer a practical roadmap for print providers looking to build a sustainable workforce for the future.

To learn more about workforce strategies, recruitment initiatives, and retention practices discussed in the session, watch the full webinar, "The Workforce Wake Up Call: How Printing Industry Leaders are Attracting the Next Generation," here.