Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the required knowledge, skills and work experience to a learner to operate as a Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer. A Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer sets-up a printing couple and conducts maintenance on selected printing press components. He/she also sets-up, operates and maintains reelstands.

South Africa has a sizeable printing industry in terms of its contribution to the economy. Its printing industry is one of the most advanced on the African continent, with companies prepared to invest huge amounts in purchasing advanced printing machines used in various printing processes requiring specialised skills. The industry requires Printing Technicians who can operate these printing presses. Printing SA engaged with the printing industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets. During the survey, the industry identified Printing Trades and Occupations as scarce and critical skills in the industry. The existing Printing and Manufacture of Packaging qualification is outdated and does not meet the requirements for a trade qualification in terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the National Artisan Moderation Body. The lack of quality training and education has placed the sector in a precarious position as far as international competitiveness is concerned. The increasing scarcity of skills could also have a devastating impact on the sector. This Occupational Certificate: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer qualification will fill the gap in terms of the standards that need to be achieved by the industry. In light of the above, this qualification offers growth and development opportunities for those who are already in or intend to enter the trade. Typical learners for this qualification or its part-qualification are school leavers and TVET college graduates or workers employed in the printing and packaging industry. Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Qualifying learners will be able to further their education and will be able to obtain access to industry-related management programmes in the Printing and Packaging sector. Employers in the printing industry will gain access to suitably qualified artisans. Artisans will produce high-quality work through operating costly printing presses with a skills profile that will enable reduced downtime and productivity losses. By creating career pathways in the sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified artisans. The part-qualifications in this qualification will create an employment cycle in providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth. The work of a Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer is critical to the economy because of the fundamental role printing, and printed products are an integral part of growth and development. Papermaking, waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in the curriculum. The efficient and responsible use of paper, adhesives and other materials is of critical importance to the industry as it forms a significant component of printing costs within a green economy.

Entry Requirements: Coldset Rotary Offset Lithography Reel-stand Operator, NQF Level 2.

• Conduct pre-make ready operations and perform basic and planned maintenance on a coldset printing press and auxiliary components.
• Set-up and maintain a reelstand and solve reelstand-related problems in a coldset printing environment.
• Conduct set-up activities on coldset printing press and perform preventative and routine press maintenance on components of the printing press.