RMIT University has given a major boost to its International Centre of Graphic Technology, Victoria’s premier training institution for the printing industry, with a $375,000 refurbishment of the press hall.
The coming months will see a consolidation and modernisation of the ICGT’s press hall at RMIT’s Brunswick campus. The flagship will be a purpose-built climate controlled pre-press facility within the press hall. This will include an upgrade to the existing Agfa CTP System, wide format proofing devices, desktop devices and integrated colour management and workflow system.
ICGT Director, Simon Cochaud, said: “Our new pre-press facility will match if not exceed the current industry standard, in terms of best practice and integration.”
He said the refurbishment followed upgrading and refurbishment of the Centre’s presses, including Kompact Units on Heidelberg GTOs. The ICGT has spent about $200,000 on the entire 20-plus strong press fleet since July, with a further $75,000 committed in 2011.
“The ICGT is the primary provider of formal training in graphic technologies in Victoria,” Mr Cochaud said. “RMIT’s investment in the pre-press facility, press hall and refurbishment of press equipment is a vote of confidence that the Centre will continue to be the benchmark nationally and regionally.”
Mr Cochaud said the ICGT continued to build on its relationship with industry partners, employers and students. Recent initiatives have included:
* ICP 10 New Training Package, which includes the following competencies: Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability and Lead 5S in a manufacturing environment. This will be delivered in 90 per cent of the Centre’s programs
* Increase in “on the job” assessments for apprenticeship programs and competency based completions program (CBCs)
* Cert IV in Printing, Diploma of Management and Sales and Diploma of Digital production to be delivered in Victoria and Tasmania this year
* Graphic Design students having their work manufactured by apprentices from pre-press, printing and print finishing programs
* 18 individual airline hoses to be installed and preventive machine maintenance re-introduced into the programs
* Commencement of ICGT’s Greening Footprint and Environmental Focus
* The establishment of ICGT’s Industry Advisory Committee
“We are committed to educate and train high-quality practitioners in the latest technologies and methodologies for all sectors of the industry,” Mr Cochaud said.
“Printing was first offered at RMIT's precursor, the Working Men’s College, in 1899. Through various name changes, the thread has survived along with the reputation as Australia's most respected provider of structured graphic technology training.”
He said that ICGT recognised industry partnerships with Agfa Australia, Currie Group, Heidelberg Australia, Fuji Xerox, KW Doggett Fine Paper, the Printing Industry Association of Australia and others which continued to contribute generously to ICGT and printing and graphic arts education within Australia.
RMIT University
www.rmit.edu.au
