Speaking at the BPIF’s AGM last week, White pointed to signs of improvement in parts of the industry, but said there were still issues with overcapacity and company failures. He described the skills gap as “the other great problem facing us”.
He said the industry faced a “huge” skills shortage within the next five years due to the number of skilled workers who are set to retire.
“Consequently, training is paramount to us all. I urge you to consider hiring at least one new apprentice and training them with help from the BPIF,” White stated.
He also warned that the full effects of the failure of paper merchant Paperlinx were not completely known.
“There is no doubt that the traditional way we purchase paper via a daily service may well be under threat as merchants and mills realign their service offering following the losses they continue to suffer.”
BPIF chief executive Charles Jarrold said the federation aimed to build on the work of his predecessor, the late Kathy Woodward, as the best way to pay tribute to her achievements.
“The BPIF is a sophisticated and mature organisation. We can, should and do provide a key element of helping UK print with competitiveness.”
Jarrold said the BPIF was actively developing its advice and consultancy services, including the way it delivered the Vision in Print business improvement offering as well as new digital services.
Turnover at the federation slipped by 2% to £4.9m mainly due to a reduction in income from the NVQ Level 5 scheme.
It had a net surplus of £188,000 for the year.
The FRS17 deficit in the BPIF’s former pension scheme increased by 11.5% to £2.3m. The federation has reached agreement with the trustees to extend the recovery period by six years, to 2033.
“The pension deficit remains a challenge but it’s containable and we are working on it,” Jarrold stated.
At the subsequent All Party Parliamentary Print Group (APPPG) meeting at the House of Lords, Jarrold paid tribute to Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan, who has chaired the group for the past 14 years.
He said: “We are privileged to have such an active and vibrant all party group, which has been of huge benefit to us. I know that after a mere 14 years, under the new rules Lord O’Neill will be relinquishing the role of chair, but I'm pleased that we'll retain his expertise, experience, and I suspect, humour in the role of co-chair.
“Personally I am one of those people who have a great deal of time and admiration for our MPs and peers, who are prepared to give so much energy to not only representing their constituencies but also be involved in many other activities, so we are really privileged to have such committed and effective leadership of the APPPG.”
Stephen Metcalfe, the Conservative MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is the new chair. Metcalfe was creative director at Romford-based Metloc Printers prior to being elected as an MP in 2010.
