Web publishing and affordable laser printers have had an impact on the printing industry. After researching new trends in printing, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has completely revamped its Graphic Production and Printing program and will be offering a new Graphic Communications program starting this fall.
The printing program started back in the 1960s. While it had undergone several changes over the years, this is the first time the program has been so heavily redesigned with over 75 per cent of the curriculum now being new content.
“The main focus of the old program was to train a student so they could get a job in a printing shop or the printing industry,” says Ken Holden, Graphic Communications instructor.
“That focus was very narrow. The curriculum has changed to suit emerging industry needs. Within the last several years, due to the drastic changes in technology, most of the graphic communications and printing programs across the country have changed their programs to broaden the skills their students receive.”
Last year Holden says the college held a focus group with industry experts, students and faculty where they identified what was needed to be successful in today’s industry.
“We needed additional new equipment and some of the older equipment replaced. We either had to update the program or get out of it.”
The result was a significant shift for the program and the addition of several pieces of new equipment representing the latest in cutting-edge technology. As a result, it was inevitable that the program name needed to be changed to reflect the changes in technology and curriculum.
“The new program name, Graphic Communications, is a broader term that better explains what we do here.”
“This was a massive change to our program… the new equipment allows us to work faster and more efficiently with less wastage, and produce higher quality work.”
Holden says they made the traditional offset printing part of the program smaller and added several completely new areas.
“The biggest change from the focus group was to have a digital press because that is where technology is. It’s a fairly big acquisition and is used for internal work for the college as well as our Graphic Communications program. We’ve made changes in our curriculum so students will learn just as much on digital printing as what they would do on traditional printing. It’s also one of the newest and modern digital printing machines available.”
In addition to the changes in printing, some of the new elements were added to incorporate the different production and imaging methods within the industry. This includes screen printing on t-shirts, laser cutting and engraving, embroidery and wide-format printing.
“Wide format printing is a growing part of the market used for signage, banners, vehicle graphics and large prints. We never had the capability to train students for the sign industry before. Now, we can produce all of these products on a wide variety of media types for many different applications.”
Holden says when looking at the big picture the college has broadened the skill set tremendously for future graduates of the program.
“Even though we have had little steps and changes in technology along the way, this was the biggest change since we started the program. Instead of having a small, tight focus to learn how to print on a printing press, now we have branched out to many different areas. That is really quite conducive to how the industry is going.”
The program made changes in conjunction to standards set forth by the Canadian Printing Industry Sector Council, the agency that sets down printing industry standards for Canada.
“Students leaving here from the Prince Philip Drive campus in St. John’s can go to work anywhere in Canada because we’re using the same standards as other colleges across the country.”
CNA also purchased two three-dimensional (3-D) printers through its Office of Applied Research. Students in the new Graphic Communications program will have access to these printers, which Holden feels, will be a huge draw for tech savvy students.
“When someone can take a file and print it in 3-D so they can hold it in their hand, it’s mind boggling. They will be able to take a computerized project – such as a mug or a sculpture, make it into a 3-D file and print that. It’s cutting-edge technology that will appeal to people in a younger age group.”
For more information about the Graphic Communications program, visit CNA’s website at
cna.nl.ca.
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Media Contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca