With the workforce challenge wreaking havoc on the label and package printing industry, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation (PCF) has emerged as a leading source of growth. As many flexographers retire, print shops are struggling to find qualified personnel to assume these roles. PCF, however, has established a mission that promotes growth of flexographic printing in the educational systems throughout North America.

“Our only goal is to build tomorrow’s workforce for flexo,” explains Bettylyn Krafft, executive director, Phoenix Challenge Foundation. “With the industry so critical to every brand and brand space, it is somewhat obscure when it comes to recruiting and attracting good talent.”

PCF has prioritized two ongoing strategies. First, the goal is to collaborate with industry suppliers and converters in building relationships with high schools, technical schools, and colleges and universities in order to sustain and further build awareness of the flexo industry and its professional opportunities. Secondly, PCF strives to create innovative and challenging programs that showcase the student talent, expose students to the extensive reach of the flexo industry while providing networking and relationships between students and the industry. 

For the past 27 years, PCF has been an integral driver of flexographic success throughout North America. “From our humble beginnings with a vision of Diann Teague and unwavering support and deep devotion to education from Ron and Katherine Harper, the Phoenix Challenge has gone from a single High School Skills competition to two broad-reaching multi-high school and multi-college annual competition programs,” says Krafft. “From those first groups of high school students for the first 10 years, the organization has exposed more than 6,000 students to the industry directly through our events and programs. Today, more than 700 of these students, that we know of, are actively working, building careers and long-standing relationships with the industry. Hundreds of these young professionals support converters and suppliers alike, from the pressroom floor to laboratories to C-suite executive level.”

Many of the industry’s top suppliers have played a pivotal role in the growth of PCF and the subsequent flexo printing industry. Mark Andy, along with other key suppliers like Anderson & Vreeland, Harper Corporation and JR Cole Industries, have all been strong partners with the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. 

“The Foundation has been honored to have access to the flexo platforms of Mark Andy,” states Krafft. “Over the years, Mark Andy flexo presses have played a vital role in the success and education of flexography, from basic fundamentals to troubleshooting and pushing a press’ limits. The majority of the equipment the students have had access to has been the majority of Mark Andy. The legendary Mark Andy 2200 is still the most learned-on piece of equipment the Phoenix Challenge and many schools have utilized. The fundamentals of flexo have been taught on everything from a Mark Andy 830 to XP5000 to the revolutionary Performance Series. Mark Andy has certainly pushed the envelope when it comes to the evolution of the industry as a whole. 

“We have been honored to have several past and current personnel volunteers to make our events a success,” adds Krafft. “Jerry Henson, sales manager, has been key in judging High School Skills. Justin Green, once a sales manager with Mark Andy, was the first High School Skills winner in the history of the challenge; and who has recently moved to a VP role at Comexi.  Mary Sullivan, Trisha Smith, and other past and present marketing leaders of Mark Andy have also contributed through the years. We see this relationship will continue to grow and expand in the support of flexography across North America.”

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for this organization. However, more is needed to curb the workforce challenges currently facing the manufacturing industry. “We always receive wonderful accolades and feedback from the industry, but the organization needs more than just accolades to thrive,” remarks Krafft. “We continue to receive support, both financial and volunteer, from somewhat the same industry suppliers and converters. I just imagine how much more impact we could make with more involvement from a broader range of companies. The companies that have found successful recruiting really do rave about the quality and dedication of their employees who have come through the Phoenix Challenge competitions.”

PCF will continue to host its two annual competitions. This year, the High School competition takes place April 10-12 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. Meanwhile, the College Competition will take place at the Flexo Xperience Center in Atlanta, GA, on April 27.  This year’s College Phoenix Challenge partnered with the Flexo Xperience Center in support of building awareness to continue growing the group.

Plus, the FTA (Flexographic Technical Association) has been instrumental in promoting the organization’s success. “One of our efforts to expose and grow the group is through the FTA Annual Forum,” states Krafft. “Each year the FQC Committee’s session features the students from the winning College Team. This is where industry suppliers and converters see first-hand the high caliber of college students who will be seeking inspiring careers soon after the event.  These students are amazing and are getting a real-time ‘interview’ with hundreds of suppliers and converters at the same time.”

Krafft is optimistic for the future of the PCF, as well as the flexographic industry as a whole. “My hope and dream is to see the Phoenix Challenge continue to thrive and build the bridges between career-seeking young people and an industry that continues to evolve,” says Krafft. “Package printing and graphic arts are going to continue to be a huge part of all of our lives. We owe it to ourselves and the industry to continue building tomorrow’s workforce.”