That’s not to say that the parlous state of industry training is new, it’s just that Leeds City College’s decision to only offer ‘in industry’ apprenticeships, brought the subject sharply back into focus. Especially when swingeing cuts at Proskills were announced at the same time, leaving a question mark over the body’s future.

It’s difficult to criticise Leeds’ decision, as it has not been alone in identifying campus-based print training as no longer financial viable. In fact, over the past decade many colleges have completely withdrawn their print courses, so in some respects it should be applauded for continuing to offer courses at all.

Equally, as highlighted by the BPIF’s Kathy Woodward, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there are lots of UK print companies, large and small, who take training extremely seriously in terms of time allocated to it and money invested in it.

But when you consider that of the 50 printing courses listed on ‘Hot Courses’ only three are what you could describe as of a ‘professional’ level, the remainder made up of T-shirt printing courses and the like, it’s clear that something needs to be done.

So perhaps ‘in industry’ training is the way forward, because it puts developing the industry talent of tomorrow back in the sector’s hands. But, for it to work, the sector needs support in the shape of more flexible funding for and access to training, because otherwise those hands will remain tied.