EFIA’s new training programme, Academy 2, is now up and running, so we thought it would be a good idea to try a couple of modules. Neel Madsen logged on for the full e-learning experience.

Training, or rather the lack of training, is a topic that runs as a red thread through many of the seminars, presentations and conversations that I have participated in over the last 18 months. It is evident that the fragmented approach in the UK is woefully inadequate compared to many other European countries, but with the launch of Academy 2 from the European Flexographic Industry Association, there is now a UK framework for gaining professional qualifications and accreditation.

Flexo 101

The Basic Introduction to Flexography course consists of 11 modules covering all aspects of the printing process from colour and inks to anilox rollers and metering systems, from repro and fingerprinting to mounting and proofing. These can be picked and mixed as needed and advanced modules will also become available. Furthermore, individual companies can extend the programme by adding on their own units to address specific needs for training for their employees.

With lesson 9 students must decide on following either the corrugated or web fed paths to complete the section. They can study both but the examination will be specifically aimed for one or the other type of press.

In terms of marking and assessment, EFIA said that the system is very much aligned with methods being introduced by a number of major UK universities and already used in the US. It is based on a points system with every unit and level of achievement (pass, merit, distinction) counting towards awards of either Cert.EFA (certificate, European Flexographic Academy), Dip.EFA (diploma) or ADip.EFA (advanced diploma).

The new academy programme is part of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework, which will target the flexographic printing industry specifically and the packaging industry in general. Each course offered by EFIA will be accredited by industry experts and its academic level decided by a peer review committee.

Back to school

In order to review the new e-learning site, I decided to enrol as a student at the EFIA Academy and try a few of the modules. Once I had been issued with a username and password, I logged on at www.efia-academy.org. The site is easy to navigate and a short ‘how to’ guide explains the various features.

The modules are made up of several subsections, which means that each topic is chopped into handy bite sized pieces, easy to digest and tackle at your own speed. The accompanying detailed graphics explain each process clearly, and by the time you have been through the first few modules, understanding the central figure of the flexo printing process will be second nature.

Highlighted keywords in the text offer explanations of various terms or supplementary information, while others have videos or animations linked for illustration purposes. Other units have links to external references for those who wish to go into more depth on a specific topic.

Students are expected to complete two subjects per month and each has a quiz at the end to help prepare for the exam. There is no limit to how many times you can take the quizzes, but the two 30 minute exams can be taken only once. The first comes after completion of the first five subjects and the second at the end of the course.

Studies show that interactive learning online ensures that you will retain the information for longer. Add to that the fact that Academy students will then go off and implement their newly acquired knowledge in the workplace, and there is no doubt that the future of online learning for flexo printers is bright.

The new Academy is an excellent tool for our industry, but don’t just take my word for it. Academy student of the year 2012, Joshua Woodward from DS Smith Packaging, agrees, ‘The EFIA Academy has been tremendously supportive to my development – giving me the key skills to do my job effectively as well as troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly. I can’t recommend the programme more highly and would definitely suggest the training to anyone looking to fit in personal development around doing their day job.’

Workshops

EFIA has announced that two Academy 2 Insights Workshops will be held on September 12 at Sun Chemical’s Impact Center, in South Normanton, Derbyshire. Each workshop will be approximately two hours and will be led by EFIA training partners, LearningAid. Board members will also be on hand to discuss training opportunities and future training support needs.

The workshops are specifically designed for those individuals responsible for organising training within their companies to review the new training solution, gain hands on experience of how it works and take a look at this new modular approach to training and continuous professional development.

Contact Debbie Waldon-Hoines at Debbie@avant-tout.com for more details.