A cross-association meeting focused on addressing the print and packaging industry’s growing workforce challenges was held on 19th February, bringing together senior trade association leaders from across the UK to drive a more unified approach to talent attraction, development, and retention.
The meeting was convened and led by Joanna Stephenson, managing director of packaging and print specialist marketing agency Think B2B Marketing and co-founder of voluntary organisation Young People In Print (YPIP). YPIP has an ongoing mission to champion industry collaboration and create sustainable career pathways for the next generation of print and packaging professionals.
Representatives from leading packaging and print trade bodies, including the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), Graphics and Print Media Alliance (GPMA), Sheet Plant Association (SPA), Flexo Industry Association UK (FIA UK), Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), British Coatings Federation (BCF), British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association (BCMPA) and the Printing Industry Confederation (PICON), alongside the YPIP team, attended the session, reflecting a shared recognition that talent attraction and retention and workforce skills shortages are a sector-wide issue requiring collective action.
The day was kindly hosted by Fujifilm at its Bedford site, providing an ideal setting for open dialogue and industry reflection. A standout moment came from a presentation delivered by one of Fujifilm’s younger employees, who shared their perceptions of the industry prior to joining versus the reality of working within it today, highlighting the innovation, career opportunity and creativity the sector offers. The presentation powerfully underscored the industry’s perception challenge and set the tone for the day’s discussions.
Key Challenges Identified
Discussions centred on several critical issues impacting the sector’s future workforce pipeline, including:
- Poor or outdated industry perception from the general public
- The need for education system development to create career pathways
- Recruitment challenges – competition with more attractive sectors
- Employer support – ability to attract and retain skilled employees
- Ability to connect with the next generation in the education system
- Training and development provisions
- Compensation and benefits
While each association outlined the work already underway within their respective organisations, and in joint initiatives, there was strong consensus that greater alignment and more joint initiatives are essential to achieving meaningful, industry-wide impact.
Driving Industry Collaboration
The meeting marked the first step toward a more coordinated strategy, with YPIP facilitating discussions designed to break down silos and encourage shared solutions.
A collaborative action plan was developed on the day, focusing on practical initiatives to improve industry visibility, strengthen early-career pathways, and provide employers with the tools needed to attract and nurture emerging talent.
Participants committed to ongoing partnership working, with the group set to reconvene later this year to review progress against agreed actions and identify further opportunities for collaboration.
A Collective Responsibility
The session reinforced a unified message: workforce development is not a challenge owned by any single organisation, but one that affects the entire print and packaging ecosystem.
By bringing associations together in this format, YPIP has laid the groundwork for a more connected approach, ensuring the industry is better positioned to promote its strengths, modernise its image, and secure the talent it needs for the future.
For more information, please contact Jo Stephenson YPIP Email: hello@thinkb2bmarketing.com
For further information about Young People In Print (YPIP) and future collaboration initiatives, please visit https://www.ypip.co.uk/