"estro" - Inspiration and Passion for Art
The classic Greek word "estro" means, loosely
translated, inspiration and passion for art. The Print Media
Academy has teamed up with Grupo Gráfico Romo, a printing
company in Naucalpán, Mexico, to launch a program with this
name. It is designed to help improve the performance and
productivity of print shops in developing countries .
The "estro" training program consists of three modules.
The first module is devoted to basic topics and workplace
organization. The second builds on the first, focusing on quality;
and the third and last module goes further and addresses
productivity issues. Each module consists of a five-day training
unit followed by intensive advice and supervised practice in the
print shop.
The first module focuses on technical and practical aspects, as well as soft skills. The participants first learn the basics of printing, which they can then practice in hands-on exercises. For example, they practice measuring a press sheet and recognizing and solving register problems. The participants also learn everything of importance for preventive maintenance. They find out how vital it is to thoroughly clean and care for the presses and keep the pressroom clean and neat, because this is crucial for maximizing quality while reducing waste, thus also increasing productivity. They acquire printing-related skills and an understanding of internal print shop processes.
The first module focuses on technical and practical aspects, as well as soft skills. The participants first learn the basics of printing, which they can then practice in hands-on exercises. For example, they practice measuring a press sheet and recognizing and solving register problems. The participants also learn everything of importance for preventive maintenance. They find out how vital it is to thoroughly clean and care for the presses and keep the pressroom clean and neat, because this is crucial for maximizing quality while reducing waste, thus also increasing productivity. They acquire printing-related skills and an understanding of internal print shop processes.
A Heidelberg press is available for training purposes.
"estro" achieves highly efficient training by assigning
small groups of at most nine attendees to the press at one time.
What makes "estro" so special are the regular audits that are carried out in the participating print shops four to nine months after the training. An audit is considered to have been passed if 90 percent of the total number of possible points are achieved. Before they can advance to the next module, participants must pass three successive audits. This can take different amounts of time, resulting in considerable variability in the duration of the auditing period. These regular follow-up checks support the print shops in putting into practice what they have learned and improving their skills. The audit results are given to the company's management and posted at the presses as well. The reports explain in detail where there is still room for improvement and also serve as benchmarks for comparing with other participating companies, whose results are also posted. After successfully completing the "estro" program, companies receive a certificate confirming that they have complied with its standards.
"estro" mainly concentrates on improving productivity and quality at companies. Employees also switch to a new way of thinking as they learn to assume responsibility and perform their work with greater commitment.
The successful "estro" training program is ideal for all countries that face the same challenges as Mexico. The Print Media Academy will also be making it available in other countries via its international network.
What makes "estro" so special are the regular audits that are carried out in the participating print shops four to nine months after the training. An audit is considered to have been passed if 90 percent of the total number of possible points are achieved. Before they can advance to the next module, participants must pass three successive audits. This can take different amounts of time, resulting in considerable variability in the duration of the auditing period. These regular follow-up checks support the print shops in putting into practice what they have learned and improving their skills. The audit results are given to the company's management and posted at the presses as well. The reports explain in detail where there is still room for improvement and also serve as benchmarks for comparing with other participating companies, whose results are also posted. After successfully completing the "estro" program, companies receive a certificate confirming that they have complied with its standards.
"estro" mainly concentrates on improving productivity and quality at companies. Employees also switch to a new way of thinking as they learn to assume responsibility and perform their work with greater commitment.
The successful "estro" training program is ideal for all countries that face the same challenges as Mexico. The Print Media Academy will also be making it available in other countries via its international network.
