Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an/a Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician. A Mechanised Soft-Cover Bookbinding Technician sets up, operates and maintains a variety of machinery and auxiliary equipment to manufacture commercial products for soft-cover publications. A qualified learner will be able to: • Set up, operate and maintain a guillotine to cut a variety of products to specifications. • Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products. • Set up, maintain and operate saddle stitching line to produce saddle stitch publications. • Set up, operate and maintain an adhesive binding line to produce adhesive bound publications. • Troubleshoot soft-cover bookbinding problems and initiate corrective action on all adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment. • Oversee and enhance the performance and behaviour of all soft-cover bookbinding subordinate teams in adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment.

Printing South Africa engaged with the Printing and Packaging Industry to address the concerns regarding the competitiveness of the industry against international markets during which time the Bookbinding Trades and Occupations were identified as a scarce and critical skill in the industry. The existing National Craft Diploma: Bookbinding Mechanised/Cutting qualification is outdated and does not meet the requirements for a trade qualification in terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the National Artisan Moderation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 (NAMB). The lack of artisans with up to date technological skills has placed the Sector in a precarious position in so far as International competitiveness is concerned. Industry indications are that over 600 apprentices should be trained on a national basis to meet the artisan replenishment needs of the sector. The current number of apprentices being trained nationally has fallen short of this indicator over the last number of years. Learners will benefit from receiving a high standard of training and education that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, learners may gain access to industry-related supervisory, master craftsman or management programmes that will be made available in the Printing and Packaging Sector to facilitate vertical career advancement. Printing and Packaging employers will benefit by gaining access to suitably qualified artisans to operate and maintain costly bookbinding, finishing equipment and machinery. By creating career pathways in the Sector employees will be able to progress from General Factory Workers to qualified Artisans. This will create a healthy employment cycle providing employment opportunities to unemployed youth. It is envisaged that Supervisory and or Master Craftsmen qualifications will be developed shortly to provide career pathway opportunities. Learners will be drawn from schools and TVET Colleges and will secure employment in the Sector and open themselves up to career advancement opportunities. Papermaking, 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 print finishing and bookbinding manufacturing costs within a green economy.

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 stating results or by 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: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 1 qualification.

• Set up, operate and maintain a guillotine to cut a variety of products to specifications.
• Set up, operate and maintain folding machines to fold various impositions and formats of paper products.
• Set up, operate and maintain saddle stitching line to produce saddle stitch publications.
• Set up, operate and maintain an adhesive binding line to produce adhesive bound publications.
• Troubleshoot soft-cover bookbinding problems and initiate corrective action on all adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment.
• Oversee and enhance the performance and behaviour of all soft-cover bookbinding subordinate teams in adhesive binding, saddle stitching, folding, guillotine and auxiliary equipment.