Occupational Certificate: Electronic Pre-press Lithography Technician

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Electronic Pre-Press Lithography Technician.

An Electronic Pre-Press Lithography 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 to enable print. The final product produced by this technician is a lithographic 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 lithographic printing.
• Use computer applications to create print layouts and impositions for lithographic printing.
• Prepare contract proofs for lithographic printing.
• Produce image carriers for lithographic printing.

Rationale

An Electronic Pre-Press Lithography 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 Lithography 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 Lithographic Platemaker. Considering 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, qualifying learners from the Technical and Vocational education and Training (TVET) college or employees in the printing industry.

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.

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. 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

• 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 1 qualification.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 662101-001-00-KM-01, Introduction to the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 3, 4 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-02, Legal and Regulatory Requirements, Level 3, 15 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-03, Printing Science and Chemistry, Level 3, 7 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-04, Quality Studies in the Printing and Packaging Industry, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-05, Productivity and Economics, Level 3, 11 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-06, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 7 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-07, Receiving Digital Data and File Preparation in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 13 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-08, Pre-Flighting in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 15 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-09, Preparation of Contract Proofs in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 13 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-10, Creating Print Layouts and Impositions in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 13 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-KM-11, Image Carriers in Lithography, Level 3, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 110

Practical Skill Modules

• 662101-001-00-PM-01, Receive and Pre-Flight Digital Data in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 32 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-PM-02, Create Impositions and Layouts as per Print and Print Finishing Requirements in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 54 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-PM-03, Prepare Contract Proofs for Printing in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 32 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-PM-04, Produce Lithographic Printing Plates, Level 3, 48 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-PM-05, Comply with Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Best Practices and Procedures for a Printing Environment, Level 2, 4 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-PM-06, Supervise A Team in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 6 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 176

Work Experience Modules

• 662101-001-00-WM-01, Processes to Acquire Familiarity with Printing Environment, Level 4, 14 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-WM-02, Structured Planning and Communication Processes in the Workplace, Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-WM-03, Processes to Receive and Pre-Flight Digital Data in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-WM-04, Processes to Create Impositions and Layouts as per Print and Print Finishing Requirements in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 66 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-WM-05, Processes to Prepare Contract Proofs for Printing in a Lithography Environment, Level 4, 66 Credits.
• 662101-001-00-WM-06, Processes to Produce Lithographic Printing Plates, Level 3, 44 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 196

1. Receive and identify files for lithographic printing.
2. Evaluate and perform pre-flight checks on pre-press media for lithographic printing.
3. Create print layouts and impositions for lithographic printing.
4. Prepare contract proofs for lithographic printing.
5. Produce image carriers for lithographic printing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Interpret work ticket correctly.
• Determine the appropriateness of the files received.
• Identify file formats correctly and name and save files to specific location.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Ensure that analysis of pre-flight report indicates that all the relevant pre-flight parameters are interpreted and checked.
• Address pre-flight warnings and errors correctly.
• Create accurate print-ready files using appropriate applications correctly.
• Complete the tasks within specified time.
• demonstrate an understanding of the evaluation and pre-flight checking of pre-press media.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Create imposition templates and add components for specific press and post press operations.
• create imposition schemes that meet print, post- press, process and customer requirements.
• Submit pages/files correctly to an automated imposition system or assign and orientate to a manual imposition system correctly.
• Create print layouts using layout software and assign artwork to correct scheme.
• Create die-line according to tooling requirement and place and correct artwork correctly to print specifications, where applicable.
• Create output file using the correct techniques.
• Complete the tasks within specified time.
• Demonstrate an understanding of creating print layouts and impositions for lithographic printing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Maintain and calibrate pre-press proofing devices.
• Produce soft and hard proofs according to appropriate industry standards.
• Carry out quality assurance tests/checks correctly and evaluate and submit printed result to customer for approval.
• Complete the tasks within specified time.
• Demonstrate an understanding of preparing contract proofs for lithographic printing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Submit files to the RIP and according to job specifications.
• Produce Lithographic plate using the appropriate plate-making procedures.
• Manage image carrier production queue correctly.
• Perform quality assurance processes correctly and at the appropriate times.
• Handle, care and store materials used for making lithographic plates as per product specifications.
• maintain and clean plate-making equipment according to schedules.
• Calibrate Lithographic equipment using appropriate techniques.
• Adhere to all relevant safety precautions.
• Complete the tasks within specified time.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the lithographic plate-making procedure.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessment

The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment

An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The external integrated assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26 D of the Skills Development Act and defined in the Trade Test Regulations. It will be conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).