A learning experience

Some 18 months ago, EFIA launched its online learning facility – the EFTA Academy - having recognised companies still wanted to train their staff but could no longer afford to send them away to residential courses. It was clear that there was a demand for a time and cost effective method of flexo training and so the academy was born.

With more than 170 students having enrolled in the academy, 55 have now graduated. Here is an update on how companies that subscribed to the training scheme have found the experience, and the benefits it has brought them.

Alan Heap, Production Manager at Learoyd Packaging, said: “The course has gone a long way to taking out the ‘black art’ of flexo and removing the mystery of the process. It has also increased the flexibility of the staff, and we are seeing improved quality and output as a result of the staff taking the academy course. We have recently invested in a new press, and the academy training has meant we were able to hit the ground running in optimising the press performance. All new print staff joining Learoyd will be required to train with the academy.”

Bischof and Klein was the first company to enrol students in the academy and has had 25 students enrolled since its inception. The company has allowed students some time at work to study but expect them to also study in their own time when off shift. Print Manager Steve King says the greatest benefit the company has seen is knowing that all its printers, whether they are apprentices, trainees or ‘time served’, now have the same level of knowledge and understanding of the process. He adds that the EFTA Academy has become an integral part of the training programme and all new employees will be expected to study through the academy.

Single Source manufactures and packs single portions of a wide variety of products. Unlike many product manufacturers, Single Source actually prints its own packaging rather than outsourcing it and decided that all 11 staff members need to be up to speed with the flexo technology they use, especially as it is considering investing in new equipment. With no formal print training in the company, all those associated with the flexo print process have trained using the academy, from Operations Manager Paul Mainwaring to the engineers and through its newest printer.

The Paragon Print and Packaging Group has more than 20 students enrolled in the academy from its Flexible Packaging and Label divisions. On request, the academy has a module on Dies and Diecutting to supplement the module on Machine Setting to complete the course for label companies.

Suzanne Smith, Paragon’s HR Director, says: “As one of the largest and fastest growing packaging companies in the UK, making sure our people have the necessary training and understanding of the flexo process is of paramount importance in ensuring we deliver the highest quality and consistency of products to our customers. The EFTA Academy is a simple and cost effective form of training that meets these needs and has proved to be very popular with employees judging by the uptake we have had.”

Companies in the supply chain other than printers have also signed students up to the academy. Currently, there are students from Schawk, PPP Digital Imaging, Imagelinx and Stehlin Hostag on the course. And it has been recognised overseas, with participating students from Greece and South Africa.

So where to next? The Academy is working on the Advanced Course modules and these will include some aspects of Lean Manufacturing. Additionally, a Train the Trainer online course is available.