The National Council for Skill Standards
in Graphic Communications
in Graphic Communications
The Finishing Stitcher Operator Certification Examination is designed for the expert-level, high-tech bindery operator with a minimum of three years of full-time saddle stitching experience. Additional production experience in general binding and finishing operations will be an asset to the candidate seeking National Council certification.
Candidates may take the Finishing Stitcher Operator Certification Examination on a date convenient to their company production operations and work schedule. Applications must be received a minimum of 10 work days prior to the testing date requested, allowing the Council office time to review and confirm applications for eligibility, and to arrange for proctoring the requested examinations within the company’s facilities.
The multiple-choice, three-hour written examination can be administered by the candidate’s company sponsor, a supervisor or administrative staff member, following the Proctor’s Guide in PDF format (also available in MS Word format). Please download the Guide for instructions on administering the examination. The Council strongly recommends a quiet room away from the production environment when administering the examination. If several finishing operators [from then same shift] are registered to take the exam, all should take the exam at the same time, in one group, preventing possible ‘coaching’ of those operators taking the exam at a later time.
The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) Bindery Training Curriculum provides an excellent basis for those preparing for the Council Finishing Stitcher Operator Certification Examination. In addition, the National Council Finishing and Distribution Skill Standards publication is an excellent resource for preparing for the examination. (See full explanation of the GATF Curriculum in the Guide to Credentialing). Both publications are available from GATF Training Programs Department.
The National Council Finishing and Distribution Skill Standards publication provides a listing of the core and skill standards required of expert-level finishing operators. Core standards include a listing of safe operating requirements, basic mathematical and measurement skills, communications, workflow knowledge, interpersonal skills and problem solving. Binding operations includes a listing of cutting operations, folding operations, adhesive binding, and specific saddle-stitching procedures and operations. Both of the study resources are available from the Foundation.
Graphic Arts Technical Foundation
200 Deer Run Road
Sewickley, PA 15143
Phone: 866-855-4283
E-mail: cs@softrac.com
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
The Guide to Credentialing provides a description of the examination, the core and skill standards that serve as a basis for the exam, eligibility requirements and how to prepare and take the examination. Sample questions (pp. 7-9), similar to those in the examination, will give the candidate an idea of the exam format and level of difficulty.
In order to register for the examination, the Council requires completion of the following forms by the candidate and company sponsor:
Click here to download the above forms. See pages 10-12 of the Guide for the Council Testing Policy, registration fee structure and instructions for completing and submitting the forms to:
Attention: Registration Department
National Council for Skill Standards
Harry V. Quadracci Technology & Education Center
800 Main Street - Building Q
Pewaukee, WI 53072
NOTE: We will inform you (by letter or by e-mail) of the status of your registration when your forms are received [a minimum of] 10 days prior to the exam date requested.