Roland R-World Online | Fall 2007

ROLAND DG AUSTRALIA HEADS SUCCESSFUL EDUCATION INITIATIVE

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - At the recent Visual Impact Image Expo Show held in Sydney, the Roland DG education team conducted a dynamic Education Outreach Program on behalf of the Australian sign industry.

Designed to increase awareness and interest in the sign industry from students throughout the Sydney area, the program involved local schools in a graphic design contest and invited them to tour of the show, hosted by some of the industry’s top leaders.

Avery Graphics, Gravograph, TAFE, Project Engraving, Corel, VISA and ASGA joined Roland DG in sponsoring the event. The initiative was the brainchild of Russell Cooper, education manager for Roland DG.

“The idea came to me while attending a meeting between TAFE and industry delegates who were looking at new training initiatives for the 2008 curriculum,” he said. “These professionals - who specialize in training – are passionate about their work and about the industry. And it became apparent at that meeting that they were struggling to attract students.”

Feedback from several industry reps revealed similar findings. “There is a tremendous need for sign industry professionals to attract young people into the business,” Cooper said. “I knew if we were able to show career advisors and others in the education field what an exciting and lucrative career the sign industry offered, we could increase student interest significantly.”

The first step was to present the initiative to industry delegates for the show. This would be a first event of its kind for the Visual Impact Image Expo Show which had always focused strictly on trade industry professionals.

According to Cooper, “Initially there was a bit of skepticism, which is understandable. However, I wrote a proposal so that the board could look at it objectively and consider the benefits. I thank Peter Harper for his efforts and support and also Mark Tailby and his crew for their courage and forethought. A number of companies joined the initiative as sponsors and we thank them as well for their investment in the program.”

The next step was equally challenging at first: attracting local schools. Most maintained very busy schedules and did not typically attend trade shows.

“We knew from the start that it was imperative to stage an event that was educationally credible,” Cooper said. “It has to be something that could dovetail into both the current curriculum and satisfy career objectives.”

Australian students learn the basics of the sign industry through an innovative education outreach program.

To design the program, Cooper sat down with education experts including Adam Lucas of Sydney TAFE and his dedicated staff including Paul Richards; John Cradock of Vic Uni; Linda Sharpe of TAFE Newcastle; Debbie Lanyon of Brisbane Southbank Institute and her team including Sean Dewar, Kelsey Duncan and Kerry Emerson; and Jeremy Knight and Michael Doherty of TAFE Wollongong – as well as Roland DG trainer extraordinaire Conrad Birkett.

“At that meeting, we decided to present schools with a challenge to design a poster, promoting a product or service which would ultimately be printed out in A0 size,” Cooper said. “The schools were given the choice of five subjects for their posters, including a pet shop, gardening service, music school and MP3 player. Students were asked to research content as part of their graphics or design classes and then attend the show with their work at any stage of completion, where they would receive a show tour and presentation by industry representatives.”

According to Cooper, a very important component in the program was the involvement of the Inner Western Sydney Business Education Partnership. The organization’s careers consultant, Isabel Osuna-Gaty, was instrumental in getting schools involved in the initiative. “Osuna-Gaty was very detailed in her approach to the project, creating certificates for attendees, getting release forms organized and arranging for photographs,” Cooper said.

The event itself was an overwhelming success. Reports from program participants were extremely positive. Several parents of home schoolers were amazed at the opportunities industry-wide for their children. The TAFE organization received tremendous interest – as did other companies associated with the program.

“Students were an inspiration to all involved,” Cooper said. “Without fail, every student that took part entered into the spirit of the event. Most attended with a project in hand and the effort they put forth was impressive. A number of students even worked on posters for their parents’ businesses. Others were eager for information about getting into the industry and listened intently to industry leaders including Ron Black of Gravograph, an industry veteran of more than 15 years, and Alana Rojahn, northern regional sales manager for Roland DG.”

Cooper continued: “Teachers were grateful for the event as well. It gave them a new focus. To many, the sign industry had been a well-kept secret and an industry they misunderstood. Many were astounded by the digital technology involved. The computers, design concepts and various substrates amazed them.”

Russell Cooper and his team are now planning to take the program nationwide to school districts all over Australia.