Further and continuing education for graphic technicians
What can you build on top of the apprenticeship certificate
When you are trained as a graphic technician several paths open. Some want to become better within the trade itself others want to go in a new direction. What they have in common is that the journeyman certificate provides a solid foundation to build on.
§Stay current with courses
The technology in the profession is constantly changing and therefore there are short further education courses that keep your skills sharp. It could be new machines, new printing methods, or specialized knowledge about, for example, colour control and quality inspection. Short courses are a good way to keep up without leaving the job market for a long time.
§Specialize in production
With experience you can become the one who masters the most advanced equipment or who is responsible for quality and colours. You can also move towards a role as production manager where you plan and coordinate work in the print shop instead of just operating the machines.
§Read on
If you want to go further in the education system, the journeyman certificate can be a springboard to higher educations. Within the graphic and digital field a skilled worker can for example build on with a short higher education where the craft is combined with design, communication and technique.
| Direction | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Short courses (further education) | Updates and expands your skills without long breaks |
| Specialization in production | Expert on equipment, color or quality. |
| Production responsibility / management | Planning and coordination |
| Higher education | Combines the craft with design, technology and communication |
§Your experience counts
Remember that the years you work in the field are in themselves a form of education. Each task teaches you something about machines, materials, and customers, and that experience is worth its weight in gold, regardless of which path you later choose.
“A journeyman's certificate opens more doors than it closes — it is the beginning of your professional career not the end.”