ANALYSIS: Funding dispute takes toll on training.(conflicts between Graphic Paper and Media Union and British Printing Industries Federation)(Brief Article)

Peter Kiddell fears for the future of print skills while the main print bodies continue to argue over financing

The spat between the GPMU and BPIF over the print industry forum bid, and the federation's exclusion of a statutory training levy, has once again highlighted the importance of training, or rather lack of, for the industry.

Having worked with senior representatives from both the BPIF and GPMU, I can vouch that they are intelligent and very able people. They are also happy to work together for their mutual interest - the health of the UK's printing industry.

The recent Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) report into the BPIF's training provision came at an unfortunate time for the federation as it closely followed the very public split. It also provides ammunition for anyone wishing to take pot shots at the BPIF over its reluctance to recommend the statutory levy.

But while it is easy to take a swing at the BPIF over the issue of the ALI report, I have a great deal of sympathy for its predicament. Vocational training and qualifications in the printing industry are built around NVQs and Modern Apprenticeships. To start with, NVQs were slow to be accepted, badly written and had to cover all processes with one standard, while the Modern Apprenticeship Framework was inhibited by the inadequacies of the original standards. However, the new standards, which are process specific, are much better and ideally suited to the needs of the industry for a vocational qualification.

Funding by the government of the NVQ has been infrequent and unreliable.

However, the Modern Apprenticeship Framework attracted what appeared to be substantial funding - up to pounds 7,000 per candidate. Some training providers saw this as a golden egg, and naturally the promise of 'free' training appealed to ...