Print Education Training Forum (PETF), formerly the Print Education Forum (PEF), has sent out questionnaires to 4,500 printers in a bid to gauge the future needs of the industry.

The 8pp questionnaire asks printers how many staff they employ, if union reps are consulted on training issues, and how tricky it is to fill vacancies.

"We want to find out who's training in the industry, what staff are learning, what jobs are hard to fill and what impact it has on business," said PETF interim chief executive Richard Bloxam.

"I suspect there will be an increased realisation that firms have to train people to fill skills gaps instead of just poaching from other companies," added Bloxam, whose independent non-profit group compiles the survey every two years.

"New people are not coming into the industry, needs are higher and you can't always reskill existing staff."

The PETF is being funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the results will be published on the group's website in January.

Contact: www.Pgcnto.org.uk