We all agree that a skilled workforce is vital to increasing competitiveness for UK print. If we want to compete in world-class markets, we need a world-class workforce.

Our academy is the 11th to be introduced to the network. Its focus is to transform the way the sector's training and development needs are addressed. To do this, we want to bring employers and training providers together to tackle the specific skills challenges facing the printing industry.

It is true that the National Skills Academy for Materials, Production & Supply doesn't only cater for print, which has led to some concern about its ability to provide industry-specific training. However, it is up to printers to ensure the academy responds to industry needs; it will only work if it engages with employers so we need as many printers as possible to help us shape our blueprint into something that will serve the industry and present a simple, streamlined approach to skills training bringing the required step-change printers need to maintain productivity and competitiveness.

Responding to industry needs
The academy's operations will be coordinated from a small centre at Proskills' headquarters in Oxfordshire, supported by a network of regional delivery arms; employer learning centres and employer training clusters - a nationwide network of academy-licensed training providers. This model has been developed because the majority of printers want on-site delivery, not classroom training. Access to the academy will be via a web portal and will offer a ‘3D' approach to training - diagnosis, directory and delivery - giving maximum benefit to employers, employees and learners.

Proskills' vision is to see the academy offer a wide range of employer-endorsed products and services, developed in response to real employer demands. Already, the academy offers diagnostic tools such as ProFile, Management, leadership and mentoring exchange programmes, e-learning solutions, lean manufacturing, and productivity and competitiveness courses. However, we must be realistic in our expectations; it will take time to develop and integrate the full range of products and services.

Proskills facilitated the launch of the academy based on a five-year business plan, and secured government funding to support it during its first three years. But it will be the employers who will set its direction through regional skills advisory groups, training clusters and employer steering groups, not least of all the Print Industry Board.

Proskills will continue to lobby government to secure funds for training that will be accessible via the academy. To date, we have secured a £62m agreement for training in our sector. And yet, despite the printing industry being the largest in our sector footprint, since 2007 it has only taken up just under £1.2m worth of government funds, compared to over £5.5m in the extractive industry and £3m in the glass industry. Some of that is due to the relatively large number of companies in those industries, but perhaps more concerning are the figures for April to June 2009, which shows just £61,000 of government funds being drawn down by printers.

Like it or not, the academy is here to stay, and whether you are a supporter or a sceptic, you can't deny the fact that we have all been given an unique opportunity to shape the industry's future skills and training provision through the academy, as well as unprecedented access to government funding to support training and skills development.

Proskills wants printers to make use of these funds to increase their productivity. We need them to be proactive and positive drivers of the future of their businesses; support those that want to make a real difference and don't be put off by the cynical minority who want to pour scorn on new opportunities. The National Skills Academy is a reality. Take up the challenge and make it happen for you.

Terry Watts is chief executive of Proskills