Our Mission:

The National Council for Skill Standards in Graphic Communications is a non-profit organization that seeks to define the competency requirements for successful performance of tasks associated with the graphic arts industry. Skill Standards were developed by a collaborative group of concerned leaders from industry management, associations, education and labor.

---

Our Sponsors:

Development of the National Council Litho Press Operator's Multicolor Certification Examination Endorsed, Sponsored and Funded by:

The Banta Corporation

Bayer Corporation, Agfa Division

Heidelberg USA, Incorporated

MAN Roland, Inc., Sheetfed Division

Printing Industries Association, Inc., of Southern California

RAISE Foundation

Sandy Alexander, Incorporated

Development of the National Council Flexo Press Operator's Multicolor Certification Examination Endorsed, Sponsored and Funded by:

The Flexographic Technical Association

---

These Organizations Endorse the National Council Skill Standards and Certification Examinations:

---

Industry Participation in the National Council Flexo and Litho Press Operator Multicolor Certification Examinations:

Admiral Products, Inc. - All Printing Resources, Inc. - Allstate Communications Group - American Graphic Arts Center - American Spirit Graphics Corp. - Anderberg Lund Printing Co. - Anderson Lithograph - Appleton Papers, Inc. - The Argus Press, Inc. Bachman Printing Cos. - Banta Direct Marketing Group – Banta Publications Group - Bert-Co Graphics - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota - Brown Printing Card Pak, Inc. - Carter Printing Co. - The Castle Press - Clabro Canada, Ltd. - Coast Paper Box, Inc. - Cohber Press, Inc. - The Colad Group, Inc. - C and H Printing Co. - Copac, Inc. - Crescent Printing Co. - Crown Zellerbach Paper Co. Digital Express, Incorporated El Paso Complete Printing - Empire Screen Printing Co. Flour City Packaging - Ft. James Corporation General Litho Services, Inc. - Genflex Labeling Solutions, Inc. - Good Printers Graphic Arts Center - Graphic Arts Technical Foundation - Great Western Litho Greens, Inc. - Gopher State Litho Corp. Hammer Lithograph Corp. - Hart Graphics, Inc. - Hickory Printing Group Identco, International - Impact Plastics, Inc. - Instant Web, Inc. - Ivy Hill Corp. Japs-Olson Co. - Jet Lithocolor, Inc. Kayes Printing, Inc. - Koyo Graphic International, Inc. Liberty Check Printers - Litho, Corp. - Louisiana Women's Hospital Print Services Mail-Well Label - The Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Group - Mead School & Office Products Division - Meyers Printing Co. - Multifilm Packaging Corporation, Inc. Omnitrade Industrial Co., Ltd. Phoenix Color Corp. - Prime Graphics, Inc. - Printing Press, Inc. Quad/Graphics-Hartford - Quad/Graphics-Lomira - Quad/Graphics-Saratoga Quad/Graphics-Sussex - Quad/Graphics-West Allis Quebecor/World-St. Cloud - Quebecor/World-Winchester Rhoades Printing Group - Richards Graphic Communications - Robbie Manufacturing, Inc. Salt Lake Printing Center - Scoville Press, Inc. - Sentinel Printing Co., Inc. The Saint Paul Companies - Scott Lithographing Co., Inc. - The Sheridan Press, Inc. - Sinclair Printing Company - Solar Communications, Inc. - Southern Dutchess News - State Printing Co. - Stevens Graphics, Inc. - Shoreline Services, Inc. Topflight Corporation - Trico Graphic Co. University of Minnesota Printing Services - Union Hospital Printing Services Vicks Lithograph and Printing Co. Weatherall Printing Co., Inc. - Webcraft Technologies, Inc. - West Group, Inc. - Westpro Graphics - Williams Printing Co. - Worth Higgins & Associates Zigzag Webtron, Incorporated

---

Frequently Asked Questions

If you've heard of skill standards and you're interested in knowing more . . .
Read On!

Q: What are skill standards?

A: The National Council Skill Standards are a listing of competencies - what an operator should know and be able to do - written for the expert level of performance. These are available: Sheetfed and Web Offset Press and Flexographic Press Skill Standards Finishing and Distribution Skill Standards were Developed by a collaborative group of concerned leaders from industry management, associations, education and labor, under a matching grant from the United States Department of Education, awarded to the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation.

Q: How Are Skill Standards Being Used?

A: By Employers . . . to identify specific skills required by a job; to write job descriptions; to analyze individual performance; to guide the development of in-house training

By Employees . . . to establish the exact skills and knowledge required for production jobs; to identify individual learning goals; to provide a common dialog for performance evaluation

By Industry Trainers and Educators . . . to identify work-based skills and trends; to guide curriculum development and revision; to guide the planning of capital equipment requirements/expenditures to serve as a communications link with advisory committees

Q: What's the connection between skill standards and certification?

A: Skill Standards define the competency requirements for successful performance. Through successfully taking an examination, Certification means that an individual possesses the knowledge and skills essential for performance as defined by the skill standards -- those competencies validated by thousands of production experts. Skill certification by the National Council provides recognized proof of professional achievement. How Can Skill Standards and Credentialing Benefit My Company? High performance companies in any industry train their workforce to be competitive! Skill standards are the basis for training. Skill standards and training are not options -- they are requirements if your company stays competitive! Productivity studies reveal that firms introducing training increase productivity 15 to 20 percent. Solid training begins with industry standards.

Q: What certification examination are available?

A: The following certification examinations are now available . . .

Flexographic Press Operator's Multi-color Certification Examination (Endorsed, funded, and sponsored by the Flexographic Technical Association), the Sheetfed Offset Press Operator's Multi-color Certification Examination and the Web Offset Press Operator's Multi-color Certification Examination

Successful Candidates are Awarded:

Certificate (for framing) indicating National Council Certified Operator (NCCO)

Personal letter of commendation from the NC managing director

Sheetfed, Web and Flexo candidates receive an embroidered insignia (patches) in process colors, metallic gold borders; ideal for placement on a work uniform

Q: How do I order more information on the National Council Skill Standards Examination?

A: Sheetfed, Web, and Binding/Finishing Skill Standards can be ordered from the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation 200 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA 15143-2600; phone: 800-910-4283, fax: 412-741-2311
Price per copy: $25/ea (plus shipping and handling). All three Standards publications: $60 (plus shipping and handling)

Flexographic Press Skill Standards can be ordered from the
Flexographic Technical Association 900 Marconi Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-7212; phone: 631-737-6020, fax: 631-737-6813, website: www.flexography.org
Price per copy: $25/ea (plus shipping and handling)