A series of proposals were drawn up at Leicester College on Tuesday, where print education decision makers held a round table and created PINT.

The educational institutions will be in regular contact to discuss ways to standardise educational practices. It will also look at ways to attract school-aged children into print and listen to the industry's training needs.

PINT members agreed to work more closely so they can run courses at each other's premises and offer assessor services.

It is hoped PINT will act as a mouthpiece to raise print education issues.

Also discussed was the ongoing problem of sustaining full-time courses after previous courses had struggled to find funding.

Jon Bray, course team leader at Leicester College's National Printing Skills Centre, said: "We need to look at how best to serve the industry by developing a better mindset. We must make ourselves cost-effective across the board and make the process of assessing more efficient."

More Training director Philip Owens said: "It's important that we're not too precious about our own teaching practices. This is about sharing. We need to reshape and unite our vision for training."

Institutions now signed up include Leeds College of Technology, More Training, City College Manchester, Leicester College, Yeovil College and Matthew Boulton. Other institutions are expected to join soon.