New Resources for Training Sheetfed Press Operators

Published: August 21, 2006, By pffc-online.com

PITTSBURGH, PA—PIA/GATF has released the sixth edition of its Sheetfed Offset Press Training Curriculum, a resource for lithographic printing companies seeking to boost performance through structured training of their press crews that can be conducted on-stie. Several hundred companies and colleges have used the curriculum since its introduction.

The sixth edition expands coverage in areas such as reducing makeready, ink and water balance, color theory, and running alcohol-free, while continuing to cover the 11 core subject areas essential to today's sheetfed press operator. In addition, problem-solving activities were added throughout to help operators asses and properly react to situations that can develop on press. An instructional CD-ROM with movie clips, illustrations, and customizable SOP templates also is new.

The curriculum has four elements: an Instructor's Training Manual, Instructional CD-ROM, Trainee's Workbook, and Instructional Textbooks. Companies typically invest 60-90 minutes per week teaching the program. PIA/GATF grants a certificate to those who complete the program. See gain.net.