GCWC Announces Winning Logo May 20, 2020- The Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition (GCWC) has completed the student design contest and is now introducing its new logo. Nearly 50 entries were received from students across the United States and several were in the top group for consideration. The winning design was submitted by Brianna Macsuga, a student at the Genesee Career Institute in Flint, Michigan. She will be receiving $1000 in tuition assistance. In addition to the winning entry, two honorable mention awards of $250 will go to Qi Chen and Mandana Yaghini, both from Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California. Genesee instructor Michael Crawford was instrumental in encouraging his students to participate in the competition. He stated, “Brianna is a first-year foundation student with an endless eagerness to ‘get it right’. I admire and truly appreciate her tenacity and grit. I am a fan of her resourcefulness and so look forward to hearing of her future successes and accomplishments. The employer that captures her is going to be very lucky indeed.” At Genesee Career Institute, no matter what the career & technical education program offered, all students are trained to become the best problem solvers and build a solid foundation for future careers. These tuition awards were made possible by the David W. Jones Scholarship Fund managed by Print Media Association in St. Louis, MO, and its director Tim Suraud. Tim related “We had a number of interesting and suitable entries. The competition for top choice was close and the committee was impressed with the results.” Created about a year ago, the Coalition membership currently consists of nearly 50 organizations from across all spectrums of the industry and the country. The group comprises concerned associations, educators, and industry representatives (service providers and suppliers) who are uniting to address a key industry concern. As stated in its organizing documents, “The purpose of the coalition will be to coordinate the efforts of all organizations representing the broad scope of the graphic communications industry for creating awareness, recruitment of new people into the industry, providing a framework for apprenticeship and training programs, and the retention of the existing workforce. By combining the separate efforts, experiences and initiatives of various organizations, coordinating actions and the sharing of ideas and resources, it is expected that all will benefit.” Website GCWC’s website is now live with basic information and a list of current members. Those interested can access it at www.gccoalition.org. This site is intended to be a compilation of resources for the industry, and the GCWC Board of Directors is very excited to announce that soon the site will contain information on the “Print Is Everywhere” campaign and a model apprenticeship program, both of which are near the roll out stage. Be a Part of Industry Collaboration Membership is open to interested parties representing the continuum of the graphic communications industry. This includes associations, vendors to the industry, educational institutions, and all areas of print and graphic communications service providers. Those interested in participating are encouraged to use the website “Join Us” page to sign on. There is no cost to join, only the desire to participate in the process. GCWC is actively seeking service providers, educational institutions and industry vendors to both its membership and to represent their constituencies on the board. GCWC chair Judy Durham (Association for Print Technologies) stated “We are making significant progress in addressing this key industry concern. This effort has wide support and we expect that significant action will be the result of our efforts.” For more information, or to answer any questions about GCWC please contact Judy at jdurham@aptech.org or secretary John Berthelsen at johnb@pgsf.org or 608-575-3904.

Mattoon High School Student Abigail Carter Wins PGSF Poster AND T-Shirt Design Contest

By: Cary Sherburne (whattheythink.com)

Pittsburgh, PA.— Following actions taken at its fall board meeting, the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) has added a new team member and assigned new duties to existing staff. Jeff White will become the Director of Development for the Foundation. John Berthelsen, who has held that position for the past five years, will shift to Director of Operations. Bernie Eckert who has been Administrator will now be Managing Director, focusing on relationships with schools, educators and scholarship recipients Jeff recently retired from a 27-year career at EFI where he held positions as General Manager, Sales Director and Managing Director. He has been a member of the PGSF Board of Directors for some 15 years. Jeff will focus on increasing the visibility of the organization and expanding its donor base. Jeff related, “I’m looking forward to helping students in the Graphic Arts industry be able to afford their education and become members of this great industry that I’ve been a part of for so long.” John will continue to build on the Foundation’s efforts to implement digital technologies, cloud-based operations and independent administration. This year the Foundation released a totally new application process that is much simpler and more flexible than previously utilized. It is also continuing a path of total independence from, or reliance on, any single industry affiliated association. During his time as VP of Development the endowed funds of the Foundation increased from $8 million to $10 million. Bernie’s communications with educators, scholarship recipients and alumni will continue to be a vital part of the organization’s success. For students, she is the face of the group. PGSF recently released new career materials that have been widely praised throughout the industry. Attracting youth, training new employees and replacing current workforce loses are major issues for companies of all sizes across the country. The Foundation is actively addressing these issues and providing tools for companies to enhance their own efforts in this area.

Pittsburgh, PA.—The board of directors of the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) is pleased to announce that they have revised the policy for awarding scholarships by significantly expanding the range of students and education methods for financial support. Previously only full-time students had been eligible to apply for scholarships. Starting in the 2019-20 application period individuals already employed in the graphic communications industry will be encouraged to apply for assistance when taking classes as part-time students. Current workers in the industry are often interested in going back to school on a part-time basis in order to learn new skills and improve their opportunities for advancement. They will now be able to gain financial support for instruction at their local technical school or college. Employees of companies that are already donors, or have established endowments, will be given priority recommendations. “PGSF is dedicated to promoting careers in the graphic arts, and we are pleased to provide this new vehicle to serve the needs of the industry.” said John Berthelsen, VP-Development for PGSF. “With the establishment of this policy, we expect to provide significant support to a key segment of the workforce.” Bill Michael, the current chair of PGSF added, “For the past few years, we have made significant strides towards becoming the most effective support system for building the workforce of the graphic communications industry. This step fits perfectly within our mission as our donors continue to demonstrate their leadership by investing in the future of the industry.” For information on how you or your organization can contribute to the future of the graphic arts industry, please contact John Berthelsen at jberthelsen@printing.org or visit the site at www.pgsf.org ###### About PGSF: The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation is a not for profit, industry directed organization that dispenses technical and college scholarships and assistance to talented youth interested in graphic communication careers. The mission of PGSF is to promote the graphics industry as a career choice for young people, and then to support them through their education process. In 2018-19, more than 200 students were provided with support totaling over $500,000.

Pittsburgh, PA.—The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) is pleased to announce that an endowment established by industry peer group PrintAmerica has been fully funded at the Print Heritage level of $25,000. This is a continuation of the group’s ongoing annual contributions towards the funding of scholarships. This endowment has been made by the group in order to demonstrate their commitment to the industry and building of the future workforce. The fourteen companies in PrintAmerica represent major markets across the country with over $500,000,000 in revenues, providing print, mail, fulfillment, display graphics, inkjet, and other products and services. The group had previously jointly decided that each member company would contribute an annual $1000 donation to PGSF. The cumulative effect of those donations over the past several years has enabled it to exceed the minimum endowment level of $25,000. Employees, or offspring of employees, of member companies will be given first preference when the awarding of scholarships is done each year. Companies in PrintAmerica include the following: Aradius Group—Omaha, Nebraska Best Press—Addison, Texas Cohber Press—Rochester, New York Corporate Communications Group—Upper Marlboro, Maryland DCG One—Seattle, Washington Garlich Printing Company—Fenton, Missouri Graphic Visual Solutions—Greensboro, North Carolina Heeter—Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Standard Press—Atlanta, Georgia Suttle-Straus—Waunakee, Wisconsin The Dot Corp—Irvine, California The Standard Group—Reading, Pennsylvania Think Patented—Miamisburg, Ohio Trabon Group—Kansas City, Missouri “PGSF is dedicated to promoting careers in the graphic arts, and we are pleased to provide this vehicle for PrintAmerica to do the same.” said John Berthelsen, VP-Development for PGSF. “With the establishment of this group effort, they have demonstrated a great model for others to follow and provided a perpetual testament of their dedication to the industry.” Bill Woods, the Executive Director of PrintAmerica added, “For many years, PrintAmerica has been known as a select, progressive collection of marketing communications companies from across the United States. Our commitment to the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation fits perfectly within our mission as our members continue to demonstrate their leadership by investing in the future of the industry.” For information on how you or your organization can contribute to the future of the graphic arts industry, please contact John Berthelsen at jberthelsen@printing.org or visit the site at www.pgsf.org ###### About PGSF: The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation is a not for profit, industry directed organization that dispenses technical and college scholarships and assistance to talented youth interested in graphic communication careers. The mission of PGSF is to promote the graphics industry as a career choice for young people, and then to support them through their education process. In 2018-19, more than 200 students were provided with support totaling over $500,000. About PrintAmerica: PrintAmerica is an exclusive peer network of marketing communications companies from across the United States. The organizations making up the roster of PrintAmerica are highly diversified, offering specialized services including agency, creative and branding expertise as well as automated, programmatic and analytic marketing solutions. Members of the group represent major markets across the country with over $500,000,000 in combined revenues. PrintAmerica focuses on strategic renewal and growth of its members by providing opportunities for learning, sharing and collaborating. For more information about PrintAmerica, contact Bill Woods at Bwoods@advisementcenter.com or visit the site at www.printamerica.biz.