Electronic Pre-press Gravure Technician

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Electronic Pre-press Gravure Technician. An Electronic Pre-press Gravure 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 an engraved cylinder 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 gravure cylinder engraving. • Use computer applications to create print layouts and impositions for gravure cylinder engraving. • Prepare contract proofs for gravure cylinder engraving. • Produce image carriers for gravure cylinder engraving.

An Electronic Pre-press Gravure Technician plays a crucial role in the printing industry. 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. Printing SA identified the Printing Trades and Occupations as scarce and critical skills in the industry. Electronic Pre-press Gravure Technicians currently receive training at their places of work. 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 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. Typical learners for this qualification or its part qualification are school leavers, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates or employees in the printing industry. Qualifying 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. Employers in the electronic prepress and printing industries will gain access to suitably qualified personnel. The qualified learner will produce high-quality work through the training - commensurate to industry standards that they have received. 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 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 or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Level 3 Qualification with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.

1: Receive and identify files for gravure printing. 2: Evaluate and perform pre-flight checks on pre-press media for gravure cylinder engraving. 3: Create print layouts and impositions for gravure cylinder engraving. 4: Prepare contract proofs for gravure cylinder engraving. 5: Engrave gravure cylinder.