PrintNZ Training has two new initiatives available to all print industry members – the revamped Diploma in Management - Print qualification and two Colour Management modules.
Revamped Diploma provides more options
PrintNZ Training launches its revamped Diploma in Management – Print qualification this month, offering more choices for print industry members keen on tackling a management qualification.
The Diploma provides knowledge and skills ideal for those working or planning to work in production, administration, sales or management.
The revamped qualification has been updated following industry feedback and changing technology and processes within the industry. To make the Diploma easier to complete, it has been split into three steps:
• Level 4 National Certificate
• Level 5 National Certificate
• Level 5 National Diploma
An individual can start at any point, complete just a few papers or complete the full Diploma qualification. Each step requires a certain number of papers to be completed before the student receives their certificate.
There are a range of papers available through PrintNZ Training. These are:
• Print Industry Processes & Technology (compulsory)
• Costing & Finance for Print
• Quality Management Project
• Production Planning
• Automatic Data Capture
The following papers are currently being developed and will be available at the beginning of 2009:
• Environmental Management
• Procurement Management
• Project Planning and Management
• Legislation
Papers are also available through other training providers, such as the Open Polytechnic. Existing qualifications can be credited towards the Diploma – these could include business management, competitive manufacturing, service sector or Train the Trainer/Assessor Training qualifica-tions. Talk to PrintNZ Training if this applies to you. After signing on to the Diploma, a student completes assignments and practical projects which focus on workplace situations. It is necessary to have access to a workplace in order to complete
certain papers. The total number of papers needed to complete the qualification will depend on which papers are selected.
Individuals signing on to the Diploma can choose between two options of support – including the fully supported option or the self paced option.
The fully supported option requires individuals to sign a Training Agreement similar to that which apprentices have. This would be signed by the student, their employer and PrintNZ Training. Additional funding from Government would then be available for visits to be carried out by PrintNZ Training Liaison Officers as a way to support and encourage Diploma students through their studies.
The employer would receive progress reports and be fully involved in the student's progress as another means of support and encouragement.
The Diploma student still has the option of independent study without the employer’s involvement.
For those currently studying towards the Diploma, transition arrangements are available to move to the new fully supported option.
The mentoring system where industry experts assist students through their programme is be available for either option.
New Colour Management Modules
Colour management is a critical step in the production process of every job produced in the print and packaging industries.
PrintNZ Training has developed two colour management modules for the Digital Processes for Print training programme but these are also relevant to anyone in the industry who wishes to increase their knowledge in the area of colour management.
Colour Management Level 4 covers:
• Knowledge of colour models, gamuts, spaces and profiles
• How colour is perceived
• ICC profiles
• Procedures for measuring colour for digital printing
This module is theory-based and leads on to the Level 5 module.
Colour Management Level 5 covers:
• Analysing the work environment for light and the viewing of colour
• Create and apply colour profiles for equipment
• Optimise software settings
• Test and adjust colour profiles and settings to enable a good colour match
This module is practical and will ensure that individuals can understand and implement knowledge of colour management.
Both modules require the student to complete a portfolio, complete as-signment questions and an oral workplace assessment. Students receive a booklet for each module which contains all the relevant information needed to complete the qualification.
For more information about these programmes, please phone: 0800 654 455, visit: www.printnz.co.nz/ PrintNZTraining/downloads, or contact your Training Liaison Officer.
Trust 4 Skills says ‘Yes!’
The Trust 4 Skills Fund launches a campaign this month that will see all applications received between now and August 15 gain at least partial funding. ‘The Trust Says Yes’ marketing campaign aims to encourage more applications from print industry members who would like to increase their skills by undertaking further training. This could include attending the PrintNZ Conference in October, completing an Outward Bound course, registering for the Print Diploma or undertaking other types of training. This does not include apprenticeship training. Eligibility criteria does apply – the main criteria is the applicant (an individual or business) needs to be employed by a company that deducts union fees from at least one employee. Applications can also be made by printing and packaging companies and other industry organisations. Trust 4 Skills Chairperson, Megan Henson, says the Trust decided to run this campaign to raise its profile to ultimately encourage more people to take advantage of the funding.
“Anyone applying would still need to be eligible under the general Trust guidelines. However, our hope is that we will be looking at applications covering a broader range of training possibilities. We especially encourage applications from people who would benefit from literacy and numeracy skills training,” says Henson.
Trust 4 Skills approved $40,000 worth of grants in 2007, including sponsoring the SkillEX and WorldSkills sheet-fed printing competitions. Trust 4 Skills also supplied funding towards the production of the new print industry ‘'flipper card’, an interactive promotional tool that promotes industry products, careers and work towards environmental sustainability.
For more information on Trust 4 Skills eligibility criteria and an application form visit: www.printnz.co.nz/Trust4Skills or phone 0800 654 455.
