01732 759725 44 PrintIT Reseller: As a prospective employer how do you attract tech-savvy young talent, such as engaging with schools and colleges, using social media, or offering apprenticeships and training programs? Catherine Kennedy: We have actively engaged with a range of programmes. We have had people working on advanced apprentice programmes and also worked with local universities to advertise our vacancies and internship opportunities. We use social media to raise awareness of the activities we offer as a business for travel to see clients which is attractive when recruiting. We also have an active charity engagement programme which is appealing to younger people too. Nick Taylor: Epson is a vocal member of industry, social media, and local schools and business communities. This spans everywhere from conducting career days in local high schools, networking at the Herts Chamber of Commerce, and we’ve also signed the Watford Business Pledge as a show of Epson’s commitment to local employment, sourcing of goods, and green practices. Shaun Wilkinson: We’re part of a wider group of businesses, and within our parent companies, there’s a strong focus on development and training programs. Internally, we’re proud of our people-first approach here in the UK. We’re inclusive in how we recruit, and we are proud to have a range of employees at different stages of their careers. and 17 studying in schools and colleges local to our Client Engagement Centre in Houghton Regis in Bedfordshire for a full day of activities in partnership with the Young People in Print Initiative. The students were able to follow the end-to-end process of creating an embellished chocolate box, with each step demonstrating the creativity, technology, and skill involved in modern print production. As an industry we need to market ourselves better and make print exciting and emphasise its importance as a trusted gateway to the digital world. Demonstrating the wide variety of roles available is important for example - data management, production automation, content and design creation as well as the technical operating roles. One idea discussed at a recent customer roundtable was to rebrand some of the more traditional roles to sound more appealing and to adopt terminology that appeals to the younger generation. Rebecca Rodger: As is the case with any industry looking to connect with a new audience, inspiring the next generation starts with demystifying the industry and making it relatable. That means moving away from jargon and clearly explaining the real-world impact of roles in print, from design and production, to global logistics and customer engagement. Young people today are fluent in tech, curious, and quick to grasp complex ideas. They’ve grown up during rapid technological change, making them well-equipped to thrive in a sector where hardware meets software, where creativity intersects with manufacturing and supply chains. We must showcase print as a modern, technology-driven industry that offers opportunities to work with global brands, shape sustainable practices, and contribute to every stage of a product’s lifecycle. Equally important is ensuring inclusivity and providing equal access to careers in print for young people from all backgrounds. Without this, the industry risks missing out on fresh perspectives and untapped talent. By offering hands-on experiences, clear language, and a vision that connects print to innovation, sustainability and global impact, we can unlock genuine interest and inspire a new generation to see print not as a legacy sector but as a future-facing one. become a well-rounded professional, capable of navigating both digital and physical ecosystems. We offer competitive pay and welcome young people who are willing to navigate various functions and roles, thereby sharpening their skills to make them fit for future leadership roles. As a global imaging and technology company, we offer young talent the opportunity to work in a highly agile and international environment where they not only lead the way in terms of the latest technology trends but also work in intercultural and diverse teams across countries and continents. This is something that does not only make our teams better and produces higher quality work but it’s also something that most of our colleagues, of all age groups, find a very rewarding, mind-opening experience that broadens their horizons. For professionals who value variety, global exposure, and continuous learning, working for a global print industry leader is a unique and exciting path. Jon Hiscock, Head of Production & Industrial Print, Konica Minolta: We work closely with schools and colleges to showcase the array of career opportunities within Konica Minolta and the broader industry. Our collaboration with TechGirls has given us the opportunity to run workshops with young girls across the UK, as well as host an event to mark Ada Lovelace Day that encouraged Year 8 girls about to decide their GCSE options to think about career paths in STEM-related sectors. Earlier this year, we also invited young people between the ages of 16 VOX POP …continued Jon Hiscock Shaun Wilkinson
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