FOURTH PORTAL
THE PAST AND FUTURE ALWAYS MEET IN THE PRESENT
About the Event
Introduction
This session explores how apprenticeships in traditional industries like print and paper remain relevant, with old skills adapting to meet new demands. Deke Demarco, founder of Artisan Print Services, and Tony Thorley, former chief papermaker at Empire Paper Mill, share their journeys and how apprenticeships prepared them for evolving roles in industries once seen as declining.
From Deke’s growth in print - defying predictions of the industry’s end - to Tony’s lifelong dedication to paper, both reveal how skills from apprenticeships continue to open doors, adapting to digital demands and sparking innovation.
They’ll discuss the enduring value of training in these fields, emphasising the unique opportunities and fresh roles that emerge as these industries reinvent themselves.
More on the event lead
Deke Demarco
Founder of Artisan Print Services, Deke specialises in high-quality lithographic and digital print for businesses and individuals, delivering both traditional and modern print solutions. Producing all aspects of print from business cards to brochure, letterheads, leaflets and much more.
Anthony (Tony) Thorley
Former chief papermaker at Empire Paper Mill, Tony now channels his passion for paper through collaborative projects, demonstrating how traditional skills adapt and contribute to contemporary creative spaces.
Event Information
This event is Free
Age 14+
This session is ideal for anyone interested in traditional industries, apprenticeships, and how time-honoured skills are adapting to a digital world. It’s suited for young people exploring career paths, educators, industry professionals, policymakers focused on job creation, and anyone curious about the future of training and skills in evolving fields like print and paper.
___ Even more information ___
Deke Demarco, owner of Artisan Print Services, and Anthony (Tony) Thorley, former chief papermaker at Imperial Paper Mills, will share their experiences from decades in their fields. Hear how Deke, initially warned against entering print, built a thriving printing business in Northfleet, and how Tony witnessed the evolution of the global paper industry and its significant part in the local economy. The session will conclude with an open discussion on training, education, and the future of apprenticeships.
