5 December 2006

Training standards upgrade as technical certificate exams go online

Three years since it was brought in as a key part of the Modern Apprenticeship programme, the Technical Certificate has been updated with about 20% changes in content and it is also the first unit to be examined entirely online. The Technical Certificate is a qualification that provides and tests the underpinning knowledge that complements the practical hands-on experience of the NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) elements of the Modern Apprenticeship. BPIF Training's technical tutors around the country will be equipped with new workbooks and presentations and will be able to help candidates take the examination online. The BPIF played a key role helping City & Guilds develop the new syllabus as BPIF Head of Training Ruth Exelby explains: "All parts of the apprenticeship programme, including the NVQ modules and Technical Certificates, are regularly updated to ensure that companies around the industry can be confident that their trainees are acquiring relevant and up to date skills. Working closely with employers, it is the BPIF's role to ensure that the standards and qualifications meet business needs and our Learning & Development Manager Gordon Radley is dedicated to this objective." Gordon Radley is also currently working with City & Guilds and ProSkills, the industry’s sector skills council, to update a number of other NVQ modules. The NVQ is a qualification that assesses and tests the practical skills that have been obtained through hands-on experience on live production jobs and those currently being updated include: - New Health & Safety units - New Level 2 Machine Printing route available in Die Stamping - An extensive revision of Pre-Press pathways at both NVQ Level 2 and 3 replacing the present Pre-Press and Desk Top Publishing Routes - Consultation is open for the revised units for the Digital Printing NVQ standard - Revision of Print Administration NVQ standards is ongoing and revised Units should be available for consultation in January 2007 - A new in-line conversion unit for gravure to cover the conversion elements of wallpaper production will be available early in the New Year. For more information about training and adult upskilling programmes available through BPIF Training please contact Stephanie Smart on 01676 526056 or visit www.britishprint.com/training BPIF Training is the largest provider of work-based training and modern apprenticeships to the UK printing industry with almost 400 apprentices and adult learners on programme in close to 250 companies across England and Wales.