Product category:
Printing Trade Organisations - including Allied Industry Bodies
News Release from: FESPA | Subject: E-learning Programme
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 March 2006
Screen Printing Learning Aims To Bridge
Skills Gap
FESPA is launching its own e-learning programme on screen printing, designed to offer a ready-made, interactive educational tool to help screen printers bridge the growing skills gap.
FESPA is launching its own e-learning programme on screen printing, designed to offer a ready-made, interactive educational tool to help screen printers bridge the growing skills gap The FESPA E-learning Programme is based on the on-line course developed by the UK's Digital and Screen Printing Association in conjunction with PDS Consulting
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 12 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The original course is the product of 30 years' practical experience in screen printing production and training, and is said to address the key skills and knowledge vital to the efficient operation of the screen printing process.
FESPA plans to build on the screen printing course with further modules on pad and digital printing, with the aim of developing a comprehensive European e-learning qualification covering all techniques.
FESPA is now taking the initiative for translating and localising the original English-language screen printing programme for printers in Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Spain.
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Further language versions may be introduced in the longer term, in response to demand from FESPA's national associations, said the organisation.
FESPA is also funding a number of initial licences for each of the relevant national associations, enabling printers in those countries to take advantage of the training tool at no cost.
FESPA associations will be able to purchase further licences from PDS Consulting via FESPA at a preferential rate.
The FESPA E-learning Programme is accessible via a portal on the national associations' web sites, avoiding the need for printers to install software on their own local area networks.
The tool comprises graphics, animations and video clips to enliven the thousands of facts, hints and tips which the course conveys to the user.
Regular questioning and re-capping throughout the course structure helps the learner to measure progress and encourages them to revisit areas of the course that they have not fully mastered, added FESPA.
Students have access to on-line tutors from their national association, a message board, a digital library, frequently asked questions and a chat forum, to provide constant support as they follow the course.
FESPA believes that the course should take no more than 40 hours to complete over two months, culminating in a final examination to assess the user's progress.
A result of 85 per cent or more will earn the learner a certificate of achievement signed by their national association and by FESPA.
FESPA added that printers of all levels of expertise will benefit from the course, which can give absolute beginners a better understanding of the screen printing process, but can also help more experienced technicians acquire a more comprehensive skill set and improve their ability to solve practical problems.
The content itself is complemented by links to other useful learning resources.
FESPA general secretary Nigel Steffens commented: "It's an undeniable fact that the global printing industry faces a skills crisis.
The demise of formal training and apprenticeships in many European countries, combined with the pressure on margins and its effect on in-house training and staff development budgets, is creating a knowledge deficit that poses a real threat to the screen printing industry of the future." He continued: "FESPA is committed to addressing this by helping national associations provide their members with affordable, leading edge educational resources. Request a free brochure from FESPA ...
We're delighted to be able to endorse and actively promote this through a stimulating e-learning tool.".
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