Whether you are a printing company, in plant or agency that is hiring or training new employees, there is a great resource available to help with the process.
Recently, The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) along with Intellective Solutions developed the Graphic Communications Skills Competencies (GCSC) in six key areas commonly found within the printing industry.
The competencies were written by industry professionals and graphic communications educators to catalog the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors critical to successful job performance. The competencies are organized and constructed in a way that both educators and print providers can easily adapt them to their requirements. A critical aspect of these competencies is that they are current and reflect the latest advancements in technology and software.
The six topics where competencies are available include:
- Digital File Preparation and Output
- Digital Production Printing
- Graphic Design
- Introduction to Graphic Communications
- Offset Printing/Bindery & Finishing
- Screen Printing
For educators, the competencies serve as a comprehensive list of instructional objectives for the development of curriculum and assessment of students. The competencies will also help employers identify core areas to assess and train their employees.
“The graphic communications industry has been asking for a clear and concise listing of desired skills that are specific to our industry.” said Frank Kanonik, managing director of Intellective Solutions. “The GAERF competencies fulfills this request by providing an up to date resource that can be used by both educators and industry alike”
Intellective Solutions will use these competencies in the development of their graphic arts training courses for the printing industry.
Access to, and use of, these competencies is free to all industry stakeholders and will be available online at: www.graphiccommcentral.org/gcsc after September 28. For those who will be at Graph Expo 14, a hard copy version can be picked up by visiting Education Main Street, booth #4942.