The Visual Media Association (VMA) is expanding The Inkers into a twelve-month mentoring and professional development program, with packaging printing among the sectors covered by its national pathway for emerging talent.
The Inkers – Make Your Mark is moving into its second year with monthly mentoring, a six-part development series and a call for more early-career professionals to join its national network.
The VMA is also seeking the next group of “Markers”, the program’s emerging professional ambassadors, and inviting participants to complete a survey to help shape future activities.
Launched in 2025/26, The Inkers connects emerging talent across paper, print, packaging, publishing, signage and visual media. Its first year established a national network, introduced Bring Your Boss events and appointed nine founding Markers to represent different regions, roles and career pathways.
VMA CEO Kellie Northwood said the new structure reflects feedback from participants and employers, with a stronger emphasis on career development and retention.
“The mentoring program is the next step. It moves The Inkers from connection into structured career development, while retaining the energy and industry voice that made the first year successful,” Northwood said.
“We talk a lot about workforce shortages, attraction and skills, however retention is just as important. We have talented people already choosing careers in our industry. Our responsibility is to invest in them, broaden their networks, build their confidence and show them how many opportunities exist across paper, print, packaging, signage and visual media.”
From site tours to sustainability
The twelve-month program will be led by VMA general manager – operations Phillip Mariette as program director, coordinating mentors, participants, employers and industry partners.
The development series begins in October with a visit to the Australian Print Museum in Penrith, followed by a tour of IVE Group’s Kemps Creek facility. The visits will connect print’s heritage with the technology and scale of contemporary manufacturing.
Subsequent sessions will include Mental Health First Aid Certificate Training with Steven Gamble of Anchor Health; AI learning and training with Swipe Digital; Sustainability and Print 101 with Zaidee Jackson of Ball & Doggett; and workplace environment education and career pathway planning.
The series will conclude in March with a session led by Northwood, titled Print is Sexy – Let’s Take It On. Drawing on VMA-commissioned consumer research, it will focus on helping participants communicate the value and relevance of print to customers and audiences.
Monthly mentoring and industry engagement will continue across the full twelve months. Konica Minolta and Ball & Doggett are supporting the program, with further partners to be announced.
A voice for emerging talent
Alongside the expanded development program, the VMA is encouraging emerging professionals to apply to become Markers and contribute to The Inkers survey.
Markers act as ambassadors, sharing the perspectives of early-career professionals and building connections with established industry leaders. The program also promotes reverse mentorship, giving younger participants opportunities to share ideas with senior leaders while learning from their experience.
The survey will explore what emerging professionals value, the challenges they face, the development opportunities they want and the support they need to build long-term careers.
“We do not want to build a program for emerging talent without listening to emerging talent,” Northwood said. “The survey gives people a simple way to tell us what they need from employers, industry and from The Inkers itself.”
Employers are encouraged to support staff to join the network, complete the survey and consider an ambassador role.
Emerging professionals can join The Inkers and complete the survey. Employers, prospective mentors and other industry participants can contact hello@visualmediaassociation.org.au for information about involvement.
