Central Texas College (CTC) located next to Fort Hood, Texas has expanded its graphic arts career technical training education program to include digital production printing skills training. The college recognizing the growing need for skilled workers in the large graphic art industry integrated a benchmark curriculum into its existing course portfolio.
Central Texas Graphic Communications Instructor, Bobbi Waddle working with students
The college had previously offered traditional printing courses that included offset and wide format but they have not been updated to support Digital Production Printing. Central Texas College researched what was available in the market and chose a curriculum and program offered by Xerox.
Bobbi Waddle, Instructor, Graphics and Printing Industrial Technology said, “We specifically chose the Xerox Digital Career Pathway program because we were looking for a curriculum that would augment our Adobe and Graphic Design training, we are very impressed with the Xerox program. It integrates very well with all imaging technologies and applications including offset, large format, and variable data printing. It is not solely focused on digital production printing. I especially like the fact that the Xerox curriculum is competency-based and linked to required industry skills. This works very well with our program and the needs of employers.”
The curriculum and program resources were developed for Xerox by consulting and training company, Intellective Solutions. Joe Rickard, President of Intellective Solutions, said, “Central Texas College has an amazing program that responds to a variety of student requirements. The college will help satisfy the need for skilled entry-level workers in the printing industry.”
The college has been providing vocational CTE training for students preparing to enter the graphic arts and printing career field. The program provides entry-level, industry-validated “hands-on” instruction to prepare students to be successful in the graphics and printing industry job market.
Studies include basic shop skills, graphic design, publication layout, composition, digital publishing (IBM and Mac compatible), photo manipulation, typography, digital pre-press, wide format and screen printing, press operations, bindery and finishing operations, and portfolio development. The program uses the latest graphic design software and printing technology equipment.
Students may pursue an associate degree or certificate. The certificate develops skills for more immediate employability. The associate degree adds additional specialized coursework along with more general academic courses.
CTC is open all year long and has 50 students in their graphics art program. The program is competency-based and students work at their pace. This best fits the needs of our working and very busy students. Our students are active military, retired, working parents, and high schoolers. They work with employers from the Dallas and Houston areas who are anxiously looking for new skilled workers.
Intellective Solutions Joe Rickard jrickard@intellectives.com