Future Print released its first online training program that was developed with the support of Printing Industries and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU).
“We are very excited about the potential of online training, which works beautifully as part of the self-paced training model and is particularly valuable for smaller businesses and those in rural and regional locations,” said Michelle Lees, PIAA training approaches project officer, who has overseen the development of online components for Future Print.
“It’s important for us to ensure that the training effectively equips the apprentice to do their job and meet qualification requirements, but it’s equally important to recognise the need for businesses to meet the very real imperatives of productivity and profitability. This move will allow for the delivery of flexible training integrated with an apprentice’s work, delivering consistent results and reducing the need for apprentices to be off site. Today’s training models need to reflect the needs of our rapidly changing industry, and should be delivered in a way which makes the best use of current delivery methods,” she said.
The new modules were developed in consultation with five Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) currently delivering print training across the country as partners in the Future Print Apprenticeship Project. They helped to define future training needs and identify the most useful e-learning modules to be incorporated into the early stages of an apprenticeship. Future Print then worked with Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) to develop the first eight units of competency that met the identified requirements and could be used as a pilot.
The result is the release of the initial eight online training modules covering a number of core units across Certificate 2, 3, 4 and 5 including:
· Participate in environmentally sustainable work
· Communicate in the workplace
· Inspect quality against required standards
· Maintain a safe work environment
· Apply knowledge of print production (NB: this is a consolidated unit)
· Introduction to colour management
· Manage digital files
· Set up and produce basic digital print
Future Print is now developing the next 12 online units and actively looking for additional content to take advantage of the new online capabilities.
Those interested in finding out more about the online components or about apprenticeships in general should contact a Future Print advisor through their local Printing Industries office by calling 1800 227 425.
Future Print is funded by the Australian Government and is a joint initiative of the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) and the AMWU and is aimed at developing the skills and capabilities of businesses in the print and related communications, creative and information sectors to respond effectively to meet economic, demographic and technological change.