Print & Graphic Arts

Printing and Graphic Arts in Western Australia

Printing and graphic arts is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Australia, encompassing paper, publishing and graphic communications, printing, packaging, print support services and 3D printing. It is a dynamic, complex and multifaceted industry servicing all parts of the economy with technological advancements refining systems and increasing business capability. Rapid technological change has driven the need for a flexible workforce with capabilities across multiple machines, software applications, design and production phases, as well as customer focused front of house sales and marketing.

As a result of rapid technological and market changes, the printing and graphic arts workforce is undergoing continual readjustment. Traditional pre-press and technical printing skills are still in demand but fewer workers are required. The technical workforce has greater capacity as it is freed up by innovations that improve speed and efficiency. Employment opportunities are emerging with a potential broadening of the services offered by this sector.

Print and visual communication Industry snapshot

In a world of information overload, print and visual communication have a clarity and immediacy that cuts through the noise. Read FutureNow's latest Print and Graphic Arts industry snapshot.

Training and Education

Spectra Training, deliver apprentice training in Western Australia, combining on-the-job training and theory-based study through an employer contract. North Metropolitan TAFE deliver the Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts, with pathways into graphic design qualifications.

FutureNow works with stakeholders across the training and education landscape, and has a formal role to play in the development of vocational education and training to meet industry needs.

Careers in Print and Graphic Arts

Click on the thumbnails below to read our industry profile for print, graphic arts and visual communications, or spend some time with Western Australian Graphic Designer and Business Owner Rikki Clarke.

Print and Visual Communications

Find you’re more of a visual learner and communicator? Have a keen eye that’s forever seeking and finding pleasure in beautiful design, function and detail? It could be the world of print is for you.

Rikki Clarke

Perth-born designer Rikki Clarke has catapulted her career from two-dimensional graphic design into and three-dimensional exhibition design.

ICP Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package

Training package qualifications are developed through a process of national consultation with industry. They are occupational skills standards against which training delivery and assessment of competency can take place.
FutureNow works with our industry partners across Western Australia to provide current industry advice into the development and review of training package products.

Current ICP Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package.
Subscribe to FutureNow’s newsletter for updates on current industry consultations for Training Package development.

Explore the Year 9 Career Taster Portal for experiences in print and graphic arts

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships provide a way to combine training with a job, enabling the student to work towards a nationally recognised qualification whilst earning a wage. A number of printing and graphic arts qualifications may be completed as an apprenticeship or a traineeship.

Access the current list of traineeships and apprenticeships available in Western Australia.

VET for Secondary Students

FutureNow works with industry to provide current advice on the suitability of vocational printing and graphic arts qualifications for delivery to secondary students. This advice is collated and updated annually into the VET Qualifications Register for Secondary Students by the Department of Training and Workforce Development.

Access the current VET Qualifications Register for Secondary Students.

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