A pioneer in the packaging industry, Jan Steiner began her career by volunteering at her family’s company, Thoro Packaging in Southern California. She went on to lead the organization for many years before successfully selling the business after four decades in the industry. Today, Steiner continues to break new ground with Trade Works USA, a passion project she founded to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers by promoting the trades as respected, viable career paths.

How did your career develop in the print industry, and what is your role now?

My career in the print industry began after I graduated high school, when my father founded Thoro Packaging, a folding carton company. While attending junior college and working in retail, I helped at the company whenever needed – always keeping work clothes in my car, ready to assist wherever I could. 

After junior college, I entered retail in a management training position, where the flexible weekday schedule allowed me to remain involved at Thoro. Eventually, my father offered me a full-time position, and I couldn’t help but answer with, “Well, Dad, my current job pays me.”

Once I officially joined the company, Thoro Packaging experienced steady growth over the next four decades – many of which I spent leading the organization. After more than 40 years in the industry, I successfully sold the business, marking both a professional milestone and a meaningful conclusion to a career built from the ground up. 

Today, I remain actively engaged in the print industry through Trade Works USA, partnering with Riverside City College’s Print and Packaging Department in Riverside, California, to support education and workforce development. I also travel extensively to speak with print programs, companies and industry conferences – sharing insights from my career and advocating for the continued growth and relevance of print.

Tell us more about TRADE WORKS USA and the reasons it was created. How do you believe it will influence the future of the print and packaging industries?

Trade Works USA was created in response to a consistent message I heard from business owners across many industries: There is a critical need for skilled workers, and a four-year college path is not the right fit for everyone.

Trade Works USA’s mission is to raise awareness of skilled trades and encourage individuals to view careers in the trades – including print and packaging – as viable and rewarding options. By encouraging education, industry and real-world experience, Trade Works USA aims to help build a stronger, more sustainable workforce for the future.

Trade Works USA aspires to influence the future of print and packaging by changing long-standing misconceptions. Many young people have been told that printing is a dying industry. To challenge that belief, I use a simple but effective example: I ask students to imagine walking down a grocery store aisle where every box is white. The visual immediately resonates. To reinforce the point, I bring wrapped cereal boxes and invite them to guess what’s inside, demonstrating how critical print and packaging are to communication, branding and consumer choice.

By linking real-world examples with education and industry engagement, Trade Works USA demonstrates the relevance and long-term opportunities available across the trades, especially within print and packaging. This approach supports long-term workforce development and ensures the industry continues to grow, innovate and thrive.

Why are industry investments in technical education, including your recent donation of a printing press to Riverside College, so important for the print and packaging sector?

Investing in technical education and industry awareness is essential to building a skilled, prepared workforce and ensuring the long-term health of the print and packaging sector. My donation to Riverside College was motivated by a desire to give back to an industry that provided meaningful opportunities for me and my family, while also addressing a growing disconnect between education and industry. From my perspective, higher education must remain closely aligned with industry needs, particularly when it comes to technical education for the trades.

At the time, print and packaging education at Riverside City College was underutilized, despite the significant number of career opportunities available within the industry. At the same time, companies were actively seeking skilled employees but lacked clear pathways to reach emerging talent. By donating the printing press and supporting the program, I was able to help Riverside City College reinvigorate print education and create a more direct connection between students and industry.

Riverside City College serves as an in-plant for the three community colleges within the district, giving students access to hands-on training on industry-relevant equipment. These resources allow the students to understand essential print fundamentals and strengthen technical skills across disciplines such as graphic design and packaging – drawing new students to the print and packaging field. 

Why should young people and career-changers consider opportunities in the print and packaging industries, and what makes this field exciting and appealing today?

Packaging printing is a vibrant and dynamic part of the printing industry, offering creative and innovative career opportunities that many people overlook. In today’s world, where AI and automation are transforming many fields, it’s even more important to highlight career pathways that rely on human creativity, technical skill and hands-on expertise.

Packaging printing sits at the intersection of design, technology and production, requiring a diverse set of skills and offering the satisfaction of seeing tangible products come to life. These physical, high-impact products are essential to the marketplace, ensuring that print and packaging will continue to provide meaningful and rewarding careers well into the future.

What are your predictions for the print and packaging industries in the next five to 10 years?

Over the next five to 10 years, I expect the print and packaging industries to continue evolving in exciting ways, driven by innovation in technology, materials and design. Digital tools and automation will enhance efficiency, but the need for skilled, creative professionals who understand the fundamentals of print will remain essential.

I also foresee a growing emphasis on sustainability, with eco-friendly materials and processes becoming a standard part of packaging solutions. As the industry adapts to meet these demands, there will be opportunities for new career paths that combine creativity, technical skill and problem-solving. 

Finally, I believe workforce development will be a key focus. Organizations like Trade Works USA, along with partnerships with educational institutions, will play a critical role in preparing the next generation of print professionals. The industry’s future is bright for those who embrace innovation while maintaining the craftsmanship and expertise that have always been at its core. 

To learn more about Trade Works USA, visit www.tradeworksusa.org.