PVCA conducts survey, asks for restoration of apprenticeships to Priority List

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The Print and Visual Communication Association (PVCA) has launched an industry survey to support its campaign for printing apprenticeships to be restored to the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (AAPL).

Future Leader award winner at this year's NPAs, Holmesglen Cert III student Nicole Danger (photo: Chapel Press)

The PVCA has criticised the methodology used by the National Skills Commission (NSC) to remove printing industry apprenticeships from the AAPL for the past two years.

Each year, the NSC undertakes labour market research that forms the basis of its Skills Priority List (SPL), which inform government decisions about skilled migration and VET, among other things, and determines the level of government prioritisation, support and incentives for apprentices and their employers.

According to the NSC, there is no current shortage and only a “soft-to-moderate demand across all the trade-based roles and occupations in the print and related services industries.”

PVCA CEO Kellie Northwood believes the NSC’s market research is flawed and favours certain skills and occupations.

“We believe the current industry outcomes from the NSC’s data collection are incorrect,” Northwood says. “The PVCA is highly critical of the methodology behind the Skills Priority List. Identifying skills demands based on internet job vacancies, and without industry consultation or input is flawed and against government commitments made to industry bodies,” she asserts.

“This approach has resulted in skewed data outcomes for our industry. The approach taken in the SPL is unedifying and results in preferential treatment towards certain skills and occupations. I appeal to members and industry to please support this survey and assist getting your voice into government to have this decision reversed for 2023,” says Northwood.

The PVCA is lobbying the government to re-instate nine awards to the Apprenticeships Priority List.

It’s calling on all members and the industry to join the campaign by taking part in the survey, which is now open at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PVCA_Skills_Survey

The National Skills Commission has been contacted for comment.