Qualifications
Proskills is responsible for ensuring (in conjunction with employers) that qualifications emerging in our sector are relevant and deliver skills that lead to employment, or enhance the effectiveness of employees. We have a dedicated team that maintains training standards, and helps to develop qualifications and programmes such as the apprenticeship scheme.
The following is a list of core qualifications in the Proskills sectors, with a link to the relevant factsheet.
- Print & printed packaging: NVQs and SVQs
- Qualifications relevant to printing industry: NVQ, technical certification and degrees
Other qualifications within the Proskills sectors:
- Coatings: NVQs and SVQs
- Building products: NVQs and SVQs
- Glass: NVQs and SVQs
- Extractives and mineral processing: NVQs and SVQs
Foundation Degrees
A Foundation Degree is a level 5 qualification that integrates academic and work-based learning. It is designed and is a modern higher education degree qualification that is designed in partnership with employers to meet their needs. Click here to find out more.
For further information or advice on qualifications, please contact Lisa Williamson on 01235 432029 or email; or Jonathan Clark on 01235 432031 or email. To learn more about qualifications and standards, click on the links below:
Work based and work related print sector qualifications valued by employers
NVQs and Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeship / Advanced Apprenticeship Print and Print Packaging
- Art & Design
- Carton Manufacture
- Desk Top Publishing
- Envelope Manufacture
- Graphic Design
- Hand Binding
- Machine Printing – Flexography
- Machine Printing – Gravure
- Machine Printing – Lithography
- Machine Printing – Screen
- Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding
- Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding – Pathway 1
- Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding – Pathway 2
- Pad Printing
- Pre-Press
Print Administration
- City & Guilds
- Machine Printing
- Machine Printing – Digital
- Print Finishing
- Pre-press L3
Degrees
- Graphic Design - BA Hons Degree
- Printing, Packaging and Graphics BSc Hons Degree
- Postgraduate and management qualifications
Others
- ABC Level 3 Award - Understanding Printing Technology Processes LCT
- Book Binding – Foundation Certificate - (NCFE)
- Book Binding – Intermediate Certificate - (NCFE)
- Book Binding – Advanced Certificate - (NCFE)
- Introduction to Print Media Communications LCT
- Print and Production - National Diploma – (EDEXCEL)
- Print Estimating – Introduction (BPIF)
- Print Management – Professional Certificate (BPIF)
- Print Production (First Diploma - BTEC)
- National Diploma in Print Production
- Printing Process Induction Course
- Production and Management (National Diploma BTEC)
Key:
- NVQ:
- National Vocational Qualification
- NVQ L1/2:
- Equivalent to NVQ Level 1 or 2
- GNVQ:
- General National Vocational Qualification
- GCSE:
- General Certificate of Secondary Education
- AVCE:
- Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education
Entry Requirements: MIN: BTEC FIRST Or EQUIVALENT
- The entry requirements are indicative of qualifications an individual may possess, and are used as a basis to show how progression and attainment of qualifications is possible through the industry.
Progression: ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP + LEVEL 2 KEY SKILLS, FOUNDATION DEGREES, HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA or CERTIFICATE
- Employees have the opportunity to attain qualifications such as Apprenticeships whilst employed within the sector It is not necessary to complete a further qualification outlined in the purple boxes if the required standard for a job role has already been met. For example an individual with 5 GCSEs A*-C, or equivalent L2 NVQ is eligible for employment at that level without the need for attaining an apprenticeship. This may be attained through employment at a later stage if necessary There are circumstances in the industry where qualifications and attainments are not essential and the individual may be employed and then developed through work and attainment of required skills, practical or theoretical. In theory, an individual could enter the industry with no formal qualifications or experience, and progress through "on the job" training and attainment of qualifications specified by the employer. Individuals may be appointed purely on personal characteristics and attributes suitable for the job
Example Careers: (NVQ L3/4) MIDDLE MANAGER, TECHNICIAN / TECHNOLOGISTS
- The NVQ levels and job roles are examples of levels of careers within the industry, and although it is desirable that an individual has attained a qualification at the appropriate equivalent NVQ level, it is not essential, as indicated through the work based progression route, where experience is more important than attainment of a qualification.
| Level of Qualification |
Examples | S/NVQ |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Higher level qualifications (Degrees) | Level 5 NVQ |
| 4 | BTEC Higher Nationals (HNC / HND) | Level 4 NVQ |
| 3 | A level and BTEC National) | Level 3 NVQ |
| 2 | GCSE grade A*-C | Level 2 NVQ |
| 1 | GCSE grade D-G | Level 1 NVQ |
List of courses at London College of Communication, University of the Arts London
- ABC Diploma Print Media
A 1 year Further Education full-time diploma course which provides a practical grounding in all aspects of pre-press, press preparation, print and post-printing processes. Application direct to the College. - ABC Diploma Digital Origination
A 1 year Further Education full-time diploma course in digital desk-top publishing and its place in the production work-flow. Application direct to the College. - Foundation Degree in Print Media Management.
A 2 year full-time and 3 year part-time degree to prepare students for a career in the graphic communications industry. Application via UCAS - BA (Hons) Degree in Print Media Management.
A 1 year full-time, or 2 years part time course providing the opportunity for students with either a Foundation Degree or an HND to obtain an honours degree in print media management. Application via UCAS. - MA Print Media Management
A 1 year full-time or 2 years part time masters programme which develops strategic management skills to pursue a high level career in the graphic communications industry. This course is offered in partnership with the Heidelberg Print Media Academy in Germany. Application direct to the College - MSc in Digital Colour Imaging
A 1 year full-time or 2 years part time masters programme in the application of colour science and technology in colour imaging. Application direct to the College.
Further information about these courses can be found at www.lcc.arts.ac.uk
