Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer. A Heatset Rotary Offset Lithography Assistant Printer sets-up printing couple and conducts maintenance on select printing press components. They also set-up, operate and maintain reelstands, stackers and delivery systems. A qualified Learner will be able to: • Conduct pre-makeready operations and perform basic and planned maintenance on a heatset printing press and auxiliary components. • Set-up and maintain a reelstand and solve reelstand-related problems in heatset printing environment. • Set-up and maintain stacker and delivery system conveyor and solve stacker and delivery conveyor-related problems. • Conduct set-up activities on heatset printing press and perform preventative and routine maintenance on components of the printing press.

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. The existing FETC: Printing and Manufacture of Packaging (ID57898) is outdated and does not cater for skills progression in the various occupations associated with Lithographic Printing trades. The lack of skilled operators with up-to-date technological skills has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as international competitiveness is concerned. Learners will benefit by receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, Learners may progress to obtain additional associated qualifications on their path to becoming an artisan. Printing and Packaging employers will benefit by gaining access to suitably qualified operators to operate and maintain costly printing presses, equipment, and machinery. By creating career pathways in the sector, employees will be able to progress from general factory workers to qualified Artisans. This part qualification will create a healthy employment cycle in providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth. The work of skilled printing operators is critical to the economy because of the fundamental role printing and print products play in the lives of every South African. Paper making, waste efficiency and recycling are subjects covered in this 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.

• Conduct pre-makeready operations and perform basic and planned maintenance on a heatset printing press and auxiliary components.
• Set-up and maintain a reelstand and solve reelstand-related problems in heatset printing environment.
• Set-up and maintain stacker and delivery system conveyor and solve stacker and delivery conveyor-related problems.
• Conduct set-up activities on heatset printing press and perform preventative and routine maintenance on components of the printing press.