The importance of learning in growing a print business a print business in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Every business that wish to grow and be sustainable must give learning a priority.
Learning in print business is so crucial particularly in Nigeria where there is high shortage of highly competent and experienced print professionals.
In the last couple of years print business in Nigeria have had to depend on highly skilled print professionals from overseas to mitigate the short fall in human capacity in the Nigeria printing industry. But the recent decision by the federal government to levy organizations for each foreigner they engage will in the very near future affect the number of foreigners Nigeria print companies can employ . When this decision is implemented to the letter it will further increase the demand for competent print professional from within the country .
There is therefore a need for print companies to begin to look inward to ameliorate this situation. This they can do by introducing a learning and development program to upskill all their local staff and make them more competent to manage their print shop.
A well articulated learning and development program will help a print business stay up to date with the constant changes in technology and techniques that is prevalent in the printing industry.
It will also help them improve efficiency, productivity , efficient management and ensuring high quality print outputsBy prioritizing learning and development, you can drive growth, improve operations, and stay ahead in the print business.
As good as learning and development is to the success of any business , many organisations still shy away from it due to some complexities and cost of implementation.
Organisations also complain that after such investment on learning and development to upskil l their staff , they are often not guaranteed of retaining such staff in their employment.
This situation was the case in the Nigeria printing industry until recently . Until recently many print companies rarely engaged any form of learning to increase the human capacity of their personnel but with the advent of virtual technology a few printing companies have began to change their disposition towards human capacity development .They now utilise any of the virtual learning platforms at their disposal to offer learning in their organisation .
They use virtual learning platforms like YouTube , Zoom , Google Meet , Skype etc to enhance human capacity within the organisation . I believe with the advent of virtual learning the narrative in the printing industry for human capacity development will take new turn .The truth is , in a third world nation like Nigeria, virtual learning for the printing profession can be particularly impactful.
We shall now examine a few reasons why this will be the case
1. Accessibility-: Virtual learning can reach remote and underserved areas in Nigeria, where access to quality education and training is limited. Online platforms can bridge the gap and provide equal opportunities for professionals in the printing industry.
2.Acceptability- : Virtual learning can help overcome cultural and social barriers that may hinder traditional classroom learning. It offers a flexible and self-paced approach that can be more appealing to professionals in Nigeria’s printing industry.
3. Affordability : Virtual learning can be more cost-effective than traditional learning methods, which is particularly important in a country like Nigeria where resources are limited. Online courses and training programs can be designed to be affordable and accessible to a wider audience.
4. Adaptability : Virtual learning can be adapted to the specific needs of Nigeria’s printing industry, addressing local challenges and requirements. Online platforms can offer targeted training and upskilling programs that meet the industry’s demands.
Additionally, virtual learning can help address specific challenges in Nigeria’s printing industry, such as:
-Limited access to quality education and training
– Brain drain and skills migration
– Limited resources and infrastructure
– Need for upskilling and reskilling to meet industry demands
Conclusion:
By leveraging virtual learning, Nigeria’s printing industry can build capacity, enhance skills, and increase competitiveness, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.
By: -Tunde Obokhai
