Graphic Communicator photo by Susan Zachem

Outlining the new web press training course, are, from left: Richard Bergeron, Manchester 271M; Gene Binda, Boston 3N; and Robert Theisen, Philadelphia 14M.

The GCIU's technical education task force announced that the updated web press apprentice training program will be launched in July.

At the North American Newspaper Conference in New York City, Rob Theisen, who leads the task force, said the web press course will be available online, on compact discs, and in paper format. Locals and apprentices can choose the most convenient format for them.

Students also can register for courses, take tests, talk with instructors, chat with other students, do assignments, keep journals and study notes, and follow up on further reference materials online using the program's Web portal, Theisen said.

The new web press course replaces outdated correspondence courses that were formerly administered by the International. Theisen, director of Philadelphia 14M's Andrew J. Gress Graphic Arts Institute, said the task force hopes to develop courses in prepress and finishing in coming years.

Theisen said the web press course, which includes heatset and flexo, consists of five parts. The first is an overview of the industry that covers history, production processes, workflow, prepress, press, finishing, general safety, and quality management related to technical knowledge.

Part two covers press components and production materials, including paper; reel, tension and pasters; pressroom plates and inks; the units; and the superstructure. Part three covers folding units. Part four covers maintenance and quality control. Part five covers press production, including makeready, production, and press-specific manuals and emerging technology.

Theisen said locals need to notify the International as soon as possible who their apprentices are and what their training requirements will be, including whether they need the materials in paper, cd, or online. Locals also need to notify the International about apprentices who have finished or nearly finished their time requirements but have not done the required course work. Apprentices will be required to pay a $100 registration fee to take the courses. Locals that previously registered apprentices with the International should confirm that "so nobody falls through any holes," Theisen said.

Gene Binda of Boston 3N stressed that, while the program will fulfill course work requirements, "the people in the shops are the ones who are the ultimate trainers. They're not going to just get it from a book."

Other members of the task force were Richard Bergeron, Manchester 271M; Jack Casio, Nassau County 406C; Robert Stallings, Baltimore 31N; and Peter Stang, British Columbia 525M.

Retired Vice Pres. Edward J. Toff, who oversaw the development of the program, praised the active and retired members of the task force for "doing an absolutely phenomenal job in putting together the course material and the delivery system."