Holmesglen TAFE’s new digital print training centre, sponsored by Konica Minolta, is now fully operational and a new intake of students will begin training in February.
“The enrolment for apprenticeships is going extremely well and we’ll begin the program in February and expect the student numbers to build throughout the year,” says Robert Black, program manager – printing at Holmesglen TAFE.
The Konica Minolta Digital Print Centre at the Chadstone campus includes an Accurio Label C71cf digital label press – the first in Victoria – as well as the latest bizhub in-line booklet maker, two Accurio digital presses and wide-format colour inkjet printers.
“We have our apprenticeship program already started, both on and off the job, with a 12-week pre-apprenticeship program also scheduled to commence February,” says Black.
“There's no doubt that we now have a training space to take great pride in and something special to show the industry and our school communities.
“More than 60 career teachers took a look at the new centre before Christmas and the response has been extremely positive. We’re a little behind the school schedule because many students already selected their programs back in August but more than 60 apprentices have signed up and we’ll now be pushing out into the schools to build those numbers.
"Utilising a blended delivery model, Holmesglen will develop a capacity to deliver training programs at the entry, apprenticeship and the post trade levels. We will also focus on meeting the needs of the whole industry and in particular the SMEs that make up almost 90 percent of the industry's enterprises."
Black says “we couldn’t have done this” without the generous support of the printing industry - including the PIAA, the FPLMA, Visual Connections and the AMWU – and especially Konica Minolta.
“Before KM came on board, I did have some doubts about what we were trying to achieve. Not now though. We have a centre that will be able to service the industry, schools and related teaching programs. We have created a buzz internally and we are confident that we can get this into the schools.
“We expect to push hard into both industry and the schools, building our apprentice base and our VET in Schools program. The internal engagement with Graphic Design, Photography and Media is already underway and we hope to start getting that exposure happening quickly as the responses have been very positive.”
Holmesglen is holding an Open Day next week when students will be able to visit the new print centre.
Come and see our state of the art Print Technology training centre, meet our staff and find out where an apprenticeship in printing can take you.
6:00pm - 7:00pm, Thu 18 Jan - bookings essential.
T: 03 9564 1555
F: 03 9564 1606
Or submit an online enquiry
More information about printing courses at Holmesglen is available here.