Choosing Your Career

Jobs in Business

What are Business Services? "Business services" is a term that describes a number of jobs which are in lots of different areas. For example you might be:

• * the receptionist at a medical practice,
• * the clerk at a hardware store,
• * doing the pays at a manufacturing plant,
• * working in advertising as a marketing person.

With business skills you could work in a variety of support office, customer contact and service or clerical sort of activity jobs. And these jobs could be in a number of different industry sectors.

In other words: business services jobs underpin every other business across every other industry sector and so people who have business skills are able to work in a number of different industries because of this.

But what sort of job can you get with 'business skills'? Things such as (and this is just to name a few!): human resources officer, office administrator, marketer, data and communication clerk or officer, personal assistant, secretary and manager.

DID YOU KNOW? Receptionists, office managers, secretaries and personal assistants make up a workforce of more than 400,000 people across Australia. And, with all the other business services occupations, it is estimated that people with business services skills may account for as much as 15% of the Australian workforce- that's around 3.3 million jobs!

So what about South Australia? A recent report from the Training Skills Commission in South Australia found that the most job openings in South Australia over the next five years will be in business and financial services. Around 32,000 jobs predicted, which is almost a quarter of all new jobs in South Australia.

Read about the jobs currently in demand in the industry (PDF: 198kB)
The HAYS Quarterly Report predicts demand for different jobs in sectors of business

Jobs in Printing

What is the Printing and Graphic Arts Industry?
It is the industry that produces everything printed and designed. From things as diverse as this website, to the Target toy-sale catalogue you get in the mail.

The printing industry has a history of adapting to new technologies and their current challenge is to meet the need for more web-based materials, as opposed to traditional forms of print.

There will always be the need for digital and off-set printing, since a range of products are produced in this manner. Things such as:

As technology has changed, so has the industry; which now has a greater emphasis on websites and internet marketing.

What sort of prospects are there? The printing industry employs over 40,000 people and in 2010-2011 is expected to bring in just under $9 billion in total revenue. This makes the printing industry one of the largest manufacturing industries in Australia.

So where would you fit in?

If you like designing things, you could become a graphic designer or work as part of a pre-press team. You would be able to work on designing whatever the client has ordered, and making something from scratch.

If you are more interested in the machinery side of things, working as a printer means you get to take the design and make it a reality; physically producing the product.

Did you know?

 15% of printing products are classified as ‘publications’. This means that they are books, magazines, phone directories, etc.

The other 85% are ‘non-publications’ which includes business stationary, postage stamps, packaging, brochures and pamphlets, and posters.

Advertising accounts for 40% of the total demand for printing products. These can be both publication and non-publication.

The Printing and Graphic Arts industry is a rapidly evolving sector, with movements being made from the printing of information on various surfaces, to digital mediums. It is one of Australia's largest manufacturing sectors, and is crucial to the success of businesses and organisations across most sectors of industry.  Read more about job opportunities in the Printing and Graphic Arts industry in the IBSA 2010 Environment Scan

Want to know what it's like to work in the Printing ang Graphic Arts Industry?

Trevor Stone is the Plant Manager at Cadillac Printing. Starting out as an apprentice over thirty years ago, he is proof of the opportunities that are available to people who are willing to work hard within the printing industry. To read an interview with Trevor, click here.

Barry Davis is an Owner and Director at Hyde Park Press, having originally trained as a lithographic printer. To read more about Barry, click here. 

Leah Torzyn is the creative director at Print Junction, a family run printing company she started with her parents over 15 years ago. To find out more about Leah, click here.

Chantelle Buhlmann is the Digital Coordinator at Hyde Park Press, who has previously used the skills obtained during her apprenticeship to work in London, England. To read more about Chantelle, click here.

Luke Burton is the full time graphic designer at Print Junction. Having always been interested in art, Luke knew that the printing and graphic arts industry were a good way of indulging in his passion. Starting out as a printer, Luke continued studying so that he could eventually work as a designer. To read more about Luke, click here.

Evan Stewart is the Print Supervisor at Hyde Park Press, and has worked with them for over 15 years. He originally did his apprenticeship with Hyde Park Press, and has stayed working with the company because of the opportunities they have given him to advance and progress within the industry. To read more about Evan, click here.

Phil Gibson is the Pre-press manager at Hyde Park Press, having worked in the printing industry for over thirty-five years. Phil initially trained as an apprentice and has since undertaken a variety of different courses through TAFE SA and Print Training Australia. Being able to work with new technology in such a creative environment has seen Phil stay with the same company for over thirty years, continually adapting his skills and learning new things on the job. To find out more about Phil, click here.

Nathan Torzyn is the Production Manager at Print Junction. He enjoys working for his family’s company, and still enjoys working on the factory floor after 18 years. If you would like to know more about Nathan, click here.

Leon Torzyn is the owner of Print Junction, a family run printing business that he started with his wife and daughter over 15 years ago. Having worked in the printing industry his entire life, Leon was in a great position to start his family business because of his knowledge of the industry. Although at times it has been difficult and challenging, Leon enjoys the rewards of owning his own business and being able to work with his family. To find out more about Leon, click here.

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