The "new and vastly improved" print NVQs and SVQs (Scotland) are now available following the completion of the contract between City & Guilds and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).


According to Richard Beamish, chief executive of the Print and Graphic Communication NTO, the new courses are much simpler to follow: "Theyre in English as opposed to the usual technobabble."


The courses have also been honed to reflect the technological changes in the industry. There are more digital courses and others, such as machine printing, can be broken down to enable students to specialise in areas such as flexo and litho.


Beamish said further "minor changes" could be made to the courses, which run for up to five years, as required.


"The industry has moved on a huge amount technologically but when you look at the NVQ content, it hasnt changed that much. The knowledge and ability requirements have changed surprisingly little," he said.


Assessment centres will have to reapply to run the new courses but Beamish said this should be "no more than a technicality".


Story by Lauretta Roberts