FESPA Announces Translations of E-Learning Programme

FESPA's E-learning Programme for screen printers is now available in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Finnish, Norwegian, and Polish. First launched in 2006, the FESPA E-learning Programme offers a comprehensive, interactive educational tool to help screen printers operate best practice, achieve excellent results, and run successful businesses. It is based on the acclaimed online course developed by the UK's Digital & Screen Printing Association in conjunction with PDS Consulting. All language versions of the FESPA E-Learning Programme will be demonstrated on the FESPA stand (Hall 3.1, Stand G320) at the FESPA 2007 exhibition in Berlin, 5th - 9th June, with the exception of Italian (Stand G250) and Polish (Stand G340) which will be shown in the national pavilions at the show in Hall 3.1. Enrolling in the FESPA E-learning Programme costs just €90, and printers interested in taking the course can visit the FESPA website www.fespa.com and click on the E-learning icon, then select the appropriate language to register. Consisting of 16 lessons, the FESPA E-learning Programme is made up of over 250,000 words as well as hundreds of animations, videos, question & answer documents and even a digital library. It is an extensive course which is appropriate for both novices and accomplished screen printers, teaching them how to control the variable factors associated with every stage of the screen printing process. This includes ink, stencil, squeegee (setting, condition and hardness), flood coater (profile, condition and pressure), print machine settings and condition, substrate condition and cleanliness, ambient conditions (humidity, temperature) and last but not least, the printer. Chris Smith, FESPA Projects Manager, comments: 'We are thrilled to be able to offer the FESPA E-learning Programme to an even greater number of printers in Europe. We see this as an important step in the progression of the E-learning Programme and in achieving our aim to address the growing knowledge deficit in the screen printing industry. We feel that the importance of affordable educational tools cannot be underestimated and we fully believe that it will be as successful in these countries as it has been previously.' The course structure contains regular questioning and re-capping, culminating in a final examination to assess the user's progress. Printers of all levels of expertise can benefit from the course, which gives absolute beginners a better understanding of the screen printing process and can help experienced technicians gain a more comprehensive set of skills. A result of 85% or more in the final examination will earn the learner a Certificate of Achievement signed by the national association and FESPA. The FESPA E-Learning Programme has been running successfully in English for sometime, with students from the UK, USA, Australia and other English speaking countries discovering just how important it is to have good, solid knowledge of the screen printing process. One such user comments: 'I have been a screen printer for 26 years, and do not like to think of the amount of money, materials, and ink that has been wasted and lost. The FESPA course is invaluable not only because it teaches best-practice for every day operations and how to achieve the best possible results, but also because it teaches you how to operate as efficiently as possible, giving you the best of chance of running a successful business.' FESPA also hopes to extend the course from screen printing into digital printing, with a view to developing a European e-learning qualification that covers all techniques. For more information on the FESPA E-learning Programme, please contact your local screen printing association, or contact FESPA on +44 1737 240 788. About FESPA Founded in 1962, FESPA is a not-for-profit federation of trade associations and an organiser of exhibitions and conferences for the screen and digital printing industries. FESPA's dual aim is to promote screen printing and digital imaging and to share knowledge about screen and digital printing with its members across the world, helping them to grow their businesses and learn about the latest developments in their fast growing industries. FESPA member organisations include 28 separate National Associations in Europe, and 4 Associate Member Associations in Australia, China, Thailand and India. FESPA 2007 in Berlin will be the next main FESPA event and the largest exhibition in the world for screen and digital printing. Forthcoming FESPA events include: ¢ FESPA 2007 - The Power of Imaging, 5th - 9th June 2007, Messe Berlin ¢ FESPA World Expo India, 7th - 9th December 2007, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi ¢ FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2008, 1st - 3rd April 2008, Geneva Palexpo ¢ FESPA Asia Pacific, 27th - 29th November 2008, BITEC, Bangkok Please visit www.fespa.com for more information.