Electronic Pre-press Flexography Technician

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Electronic Pre-press Flexography Technician. An Electronic Pre-Press Flexography Technician interrogates and pre-flights pre-press media, creates print layouts and impositions, prepares contract proofs and sets- up, operates and maintains equipment to produce an image carrier in order to enable print. The final product produced by this technician is a flexographic plate that is ready to be used on a printing press. A qualified learner will be able to: • Evaluate and pre-flight pre-press media for flexographic printing. • Use computer applications to create print layouts and impositions for flexographic printing. • Prepare contract proofs for flexographic printing. • Produce image carriers for flexographic printing.

An Electronic Pre-press Flexography Technician plays a crucial role in the printing industry as their work determines the set-up of a printing press to ensure efficiency, cost-saving and ultimately the quality of the printed product. Printing SA engaged with the printing industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets during which the Printing Trades and Occupations were identified as scarce and critical skills in the industry. Electronic Pre-press Flexography Technicians currently receive training at their places of work; but the extent of this training cannot be measured in terms of complexity and remains unaccredited because there is no national standard or qualification that can serve as a benchmark. This qualification will have far-reaching implications to those who are in the trade as training programmes developed against this qualification will enjoy national recognition. The qualification also specifies the training requirements for a part qualification, which is: Electronic Pre-press Flexographic Plate Maker. In light of the above, this qualification will have far-reaching positive implications for those who are or intend to be in the trade. Typical learners for this qualification or its part qualification are school leavers, TVET college graduates or employees in the printing industry. Benefits to the learner: Learners will receive a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, learners will be able to further their education and will be able to obtain access to printing-related programmes and qualifications. While such registered qualifications do not currently exist at an NQF Level 5 or higher, it is envisaged that Pre-press Supervisory and or Master Craftsmen qualifications will be developed in the near future to provide career pathway opportunities. Benefits to the employer: Employers in the electronic pre-press and printing industries will gain access to suitably qualified personnel who will produce high-quality work through the training - commensurate to industry standards that they have received. Benefits to society and economy: By creating career pathways in the sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified Artisans. The part qualification in this qualification will create a healthy employment cycle in providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the qualification Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. RPL for Credits Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 1qualification.

• Receive and identify files for flexographic printing.
• Evaluate and perform pre-flight checks on pre-press media for flexographic printing.
• Create print layouts and impositions for flexographic printing.
• Prepare contract proofs for flexographic printing.
• Produce image carriers for flexographic printing.