PPM the new YMP

Remember the YMP? Born as an offshoot of the BPIF over 80 years ago under the banner of the Young Master Printers, its original function was to provide social and networking opportunities for the sons of print company owners. Although in its early days it gained a reputation as more of a social group, it soon became apparent to its members that there was an opportunity to provide guidance for young potential future leaders of the industry and so training became the YMP’s raison d'être.
For all that time this ethos has remained the focal point for the organisation’s activities which have been built around cost effective training events at both regional and national level. The primary area of training has revolved around personal development and growth, giving its members the necessary skills to enter positions of influence and further the needs of the printing industry. Many former YMP members have gone on to be influential leaders in print and have been involved in lobbying parliament for the good of the industry.
So why is the YMP rebranding? Well, while those in the know understand and appreciate the benefits of what the organisation has to offer and have gained from the training provided, in order for it to thrive there must be a constant influx of new blood to keep the organisation vital and relevant. It is no longer viable for the organisation to remain in the shadows - it needs to reinforce its presence and remind the industry why it is important to have a dedicated training organisation that is focussed on personal development.
With the printing industry changing massively over the last two decades (primarily due to the development of digital technology) and the growth of networking sites over the last few years there are new areas to tap into for potential members. Plus, it was considered that PPM - Professionals in Print and Media - provided a brand more relevant to the shape of the industry today.
So should you support the PPM? Those that do reckon that there is a shortage of youthful new blood within the print and media industry; and that the economic climate has given way to a less than sympathetic approach to training. While this is understandable as it has an obvious effect to the bottom line in the short term, it could be argued that in the long term there will be significant consequences with an ageing workforce and few trained successors to keep businesses thriving. The aim of the PPM is to build on the success and achievements of the YMP over the last 80 years and to offer personal development events, industry specific training and networking opportunities for businesses to create the next generation of managers so that they remain competitive for the future.
In keeping with the theme of survival, this autumn’s launch of the PPM brand began with a national training weekend in Wales in September. Based on learning bushcraft and survival skills, it presented delegates with the opportunity to develop their team building and problem solving competencies in a less than comfortable environment. PPM chairperson Ann Drayton, who took part in the event, says: “It is a great start to the new organisation. It is perhaps still too early to say how much of a success it was, but I am confident that with the right mixture of training and networking events we will see positive results and members will see huge benefits from what is a very low cost training programme”.
Another of the delegates - Nick Hancock, business development manager at Konica Minolta, adds: “The event was physically challenging but very successful in helping to build not just a sense of teamwork but also self-esteem, morale and skills in problem solving”.

Future events for the PPM include:
1 November Sales themed network/training event
13 December Carol Service for Printers (BPIF event) - Fleet Street, London
25 February Annual Gala Dinner - Warwick
3 April Design forum

Anyone interested in attending any of these events or finding out more about the PPM should contact ann@allsopps.co.uk or jane.miller@bpif.org.uk.