The Visual Media Association (VMA) officially launched the emerging talent program, The Inkers – Make your Mark, with platinum sponsor Konica Minolta at PacPrint today.
Unveiled on the Konica Minolta stand during the opening days of PacPrint 2025, The Inkers is the paper, print, publishing, packaging and mail industry’s first structured, nationally coordinated support initiative designed for early-career professionals. The program is targeted at apprentices, trainees, cadets, and young professionals who have worked in the sector for five years or less, to provide a support and networking community to improve trainee and apprentice completion rates and support the next generation of talent through the industry sectors.
The formal launch marks the culmination of consultation, industry engagement, and brand development over the past months. Since first announcing its intent to build a program for emerging talent, the VMA has held an industry led workshop, stakeholder interviews, and reviewed possible alignment with government strategies, particularly the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the industry’s jobs and skills council.
At the centre of the program’s new identity is The Inkers, with ‘ink’ being the common connector across all channels and the fingerprint-influenced logo symbolises creativity, individuality and legacy qualities the VMA believes embody our emerging talent.
“We are proud to launch The Inkers – Make Your Mark, a program designed by and for the emerging voices in our industry,” commented Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer of the Visual Media Association. “This program is a commitment to the development of a skilled, connected and visible workforce – one that’s future-ready, supported, and confident to build their professional pathways.”
The Inkers program is underpinned by four key pillars:
- Support to Skills Development,
- Mentorship & Intergenerational Leadership,
- Networking & Local Representation, and
- Recognition & Visibility.
These focus areas were directly informed by industry input and statistical data, including the concerning 57% national apprentice non-completion rate reported by the ABS.
Melissa Dempsey, Chief Marketing Officer at Konica Minolta, echoed the importance of supporting future leaders in the industry. “Konica Minolta is honoured to be the Platinum Sponsor of The Inkers. We see this as a transformative initiative that builds a meaningful pipeline of talent,” Dempsey said. “Investing in people – particularly the next generation – is how we drive innovation, foster inclusion, and ensure the long-term success of our sector.”
NOW SEEKING ‘MARKERS’ – STATE & TERRITORY REPRESENTATIVES
With the name and program structure now officially revealed, the next phase begins as the program looks to build a national committee of representatives, known as Markers. Each Marker will be selected to represent their state or territory and play a key role in championing the program within their local region.
Markers will be mentored by senior leaders from the VMA Board, collaborate with industry stakeholders, and act as the voice of emerging professionals in their area. They will also contribute to local events, national strategy meetings, and VMA initiatives throughout the year.
Applications to become a Marker are now open and close on 6 June 2025. Successful applicants will be announced on 17 June, with the inaugural Inkers workshop and briefing session to be held at Konica Minolta’s Melbourne headquarters on 2 July 2025.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be currently employed in the visual media sector (including print, paper, packaging, publishing, media, distribution, or design),
- Have five years or less total industry experience,
- Reside in Australia and be available to attend in-person and virtual events,
- Demonstrate a willingness to be mentored and contribute to national activities.
The VMA is encouraging businesses across the industry to identify and nominate emerging leaders within their teams. Additional information and application details are available via email at: hello@visualmediaassociation.org.au
SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
The Inkers program is aligned with government workforce retention strategies and also responding to urgent attraction and labour shortages that continue to impact the print and visual media sectors. It is being supported through partnerships with leading companies such as Konica Minolta and Ball & Doggett and has already gained interest across TAFE, RTO and apprenticeship networks.
Events and activities will be hosted in Konica Minolta showrooms across the country, providing emerging professionals with high-quality industry engagement experiences. The VMA will also publish an annual State of Emerging Talent report, designed to track retention trends, program impact, and apprentice outcomes.
“Through The Inkers, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant, sustainable and skilled future for our industry. It’s time for our next generation to make their mark – and we’re proud to stand with them,” concluded Northwood.
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is a market-leading provider of trusted technology solutions to help Australian organisations keep pace with the needs of the future workplace through innovation and investment technology solutions that leverage the technology of tomorrow, today.
From printing, scanning, and copying to cloud storage and managed IT services, Konica Minolta Australia’s award-winning products and solutions help customers to transform and move information faster.
Creating and working with equitable, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious organisations is an important part of the future workplace. Konica Minolta Australia actively promotes and innovates through diversity and inclusion, ethical supply chain, and climate change action strategies.
Konica Minolta Australia is proud to support the commitment to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other people in the community to help improve life outcomes and opportunities and to create a better future for society at large. As part of this, Konica Minolta Australia developed its Reconciliation Action Plan to publicly commit to reconciliation initiatives, and is a member of Supply Nation, the Australian leader in supplier diversity, to support First Nations businesses.
For more information visit: konicaminolta.com.au
About Visual Media Association
The Visual Media Association (VMA) is the recognised peak industry body for the paper, print, mail, publishing, packaging, graphic design, distribution, and media technology industries across Australia.
Operating for over 141 years, the VMA is a registered organisation with direct signatory to the nine (9) Awards across our industry and membership. VMA offers an end-to-end industry association solution that is relevant in all that it undertakes: advocating the relevance of the established media – print – that we all belong to; developing global partnerships and translating to regional requirements; awarding excellence; investing in products; and arming our industry with sales tools, sustainability collateral, industrial relations representation and more.
The VMA is the largest print industry body, committed to building a stronger united leadership to deliver the goals of our members. United we lead strong advocacy, government advisory, skills and training programs, protection, and promotion of our industry channels and more to ensure our members’ businesses operate within a future-proofed strategy for success. For more information contact: communications@visualmediaassociation.org.au
