PIAG, Teachers, Students Meet with Legislators

On Feb. 12, PIAG chairman David Canady along with graphic communications teacher Amy Hicks and SkillsUSA graphic communications student Victoria Slagle (pictured left with representative Fran Millar) met with legislators after a breakfast featuring Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson, School Superintendent Kathy Cox and School Board Member Brian Burdette. The trio represented the graphics industry well and lobbied for the continued support of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, of which graphic communications programs are a part.

Training Resouces Abound

The PIAG website is the central place for all information on the SkillsUSA statewide grap

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hic communications and advertising design competitions. Even if you aren't sending students to state, take a look at the training resources available for both graphic communications and advertising design. There is a wealth of information for anyone interested in graphic communications. This site has been compiled with the input of numerous industry professionals and showcases the skills students need to know for a successful career in print. Some highlights include:

• Link to a free trial copy of CS4, the official software of SkillsUSA Georgia
• Link to training tutorials on CS3 and CS4
• Samples of past exams for both state and nationals

Check out the other resources available on PIAG's website and let us know what you find most valuable.

2008 SkillsUSA National Tests

If you are planning to participate in the 2009 SkillsUSA graphic communications competition, you'll want to take a look at the 2008 SkillsUSA National competition. This link is a 28 page PDF document and is a great study guide for the 2009 events. Bookmark the link above. The national technical committee for graphic communications is maintaining this blog and will post information on the national contest. We'll try to keep you posted here as well.

SkillsUSA Georgia Coming Soon

PIAG is planning for the 2009 SkillsUSA Georgia competitions. We hope to have the maximum entries in the graphic communications and advertising design competitions. If you are planning a regional competition and would like sample tests, please email me at srodman@piag.org.

The Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG) is sponsoring the statewide competitions at the United States headquarters of global print manufacturer Heidelberg USA on April 17. In addition, we are hosting a full day training session with industry professionals for the student competitors to prepare for the competition. PIAG hosted this same program last year and our state graphic communications winner placed second in the national competition and has been invited to compete for a spot on the WorldSkills team!

As sponsors of the SkillsUSA Georgia statewide graphic communications and advertising design competitions, PIAG has assembled more than 25 industry professionals to assist in creating, administering, training and judging these competitions. In addition, we have partnered with AIGA, the professional design association to offer specific expertise in advertising design. Students are given intensive training prior to the competition on the latest equipment used within the industry today and access to professionals working daily on the equipment. After the competition, all contestants are given extensive feedback on their performance with specific suggestions for improvement.

PIAG is also offering assistance to teachers in preparing their students for the competition. On PIAG’s website under the About the Foundation section there are resources and information on the SkillsUSA competition including the equipment used, training videos on the equipment, copies of old contests for review, and a link to Graph Comm Net, a social network for industry and academia on educational issues including SkillsUSA.

Finally, The Trustees of the Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia Foundation have committed to offer scholarships to the winners of the statewide graphic communications and advertising design competitions. In addition, the Foundation will sponsor the winner and their advisor to attend the National SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City, MO.

Georgia teachers and students, we hope to see you in Atlanta on April 17. For industry, we'd love for you to participate in this great event. We are looking for sponsorships, prizes, gift bag donations and your expertise. Contact me at srodman@piag.org if you'd like to get involved in this great event.

National Student Design Competition Slated

To promote career opportunities within the graphic communications industry, the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAREF) is challenging students to create and produce a marketing product designed to appeal to the industry's future workforce.

Winning entries receive $2,000 plus a two-day, all-inclusive paid trip for the student(s) and instructor to attend PRINT 09 in Chicago, IL. There will be a winner in the secondary and post-secondary category. Second prize is $1,500 and third is $1,000. Deadline for entries is May 1, 2009.

To download more information and an entry form, go to www.gaerf.org. Questions? Call 703-264-7200 or email ecassidy@npes.org