Flexographic Tech, a Minneapolis-based non-profit corporation dedicated to providing flexographic press operators and others in the flexographic industry hands-on training, took home the Gold and Bronze awards in Flexographic Technical Association’s 2017 Excellence in Flexography Awards, College Student category. Students of Flexographic Tech’s 12-week Press Operator Course, Dave Aubin of AWT Labels & Packaging and Jonathon Mader of Flexo Impressions each produced one of the award-winning labels.

The Flexo Tech High Performance Label, which won the Gold, was the students’ final class project. It consisted of a four-color process, two spots, a flood varnish and extremely tight register. In order to get full points on the final, the “job” needed to be set up in under 900 feet and less than two hours.

The Flexo Tech Label that won the Bronze is cold foil text over a spot color, die-cut and perforated. Cold foil is taught in the hands-on Flexo Tech 12-week Press Operator class.

Winning two prestigious FTA awards further illustrates that although Flexo Tech is a newer addition to flexographic education, students are learning award-winning print fundamentals.  For more on Flexo Tech, check out the Future of Flexo article in the April issue of L&NW.

Competitors in the College Student category included Clemson University, California Polytechnic Technical Institute, and several other long-standing, renowned flexographic training programs. Winners were announced during the Flexographic Trade Association’s 2017 Excellence in Flexography Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 30 in Phoenix, AZ.  In attendance and accepting the award on behalf of Flexographic Tech, was instructor Shawn Oetjen.

Flexographic Tech’s role in training press operators is vital to the future success of the flexographic printing markets. The demand for the trained operators increases daily, as more people retire and fewer people enter the industry. Oetjen notes that, “11% of the current workforce is under the age of 25. This indicates a major influx of employees needed to fill the job openings of those that are retiring. That, coupled with a US packaging market forecast of 3.9% annual growth for flexographic printed goods, illustrates the increased need for trained press operators.” According to JP Morgan Chase, There are currently 5.6 million unfilled jobs in America and that number is predicted to skyrocket to a staggering 16 million in 2024.

Those interested in Flexographic Tech can contact Shawn Oetjen at 612-706-3779.