Clayton Utz paves the way for digital printing accreditation

"With over twenty years' experience in the industry, I felt that digital print needed to be recognised as a valid part of the print industry and that digital print operators deserved to have their skills recognised," said John Kirk, print services supervisor who took up the challenge of getting the ball rolling.

All Clayton Utz print room staff have undertaken Certificate III level training in instant print and completed the course requirements whilst working onsite. Kirk, an active member of the inplant association NIPPA, admits that the staff were apprehensive at first, having been promised many things in the past which did not eventuate. "Once we were on track, and now that the training has been completed they have a sense of finally having recognition," he said. Much of the learning process was concerned more with confirming existing skills rather than learning new skills, and building confidence amongst staff. "It was about them gaining an understanding that they were skilled professionals," Kirk explained.

Gaining this accreditation was an important milestone for the printing industry and in-house print rooms. "Previously there was no objective criteria against which to assess the skills of each individual member of staff, many of whom were highly skilled yet could not be recognised via an independent accreditation," said Kirk.

The accreditation process was certainly a lengthy one, but now that it's completed, Kirk is more than happy with the results. "I am proud of the fact that we have accomplished what we set out to do," he said. "But more so I am excited that other companies like KPMG and Deacons are looking to follow and have their staff accredited. This means that what we have accomplished goes further than our own staff but opens up the future for all digital print operators."

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