The Foundation of FTA’s TEST (Technical Education Services Team) will offer a complimentary pre-conference FIRST Press Operator Certification – Level I course for anyone who is registered to attend the association’s Annual Forum, scheduled for May 2-5 at the Paris Las Vegas.

The course, which normally runs $495 per person, is the first in a three-tiered certification process designed to educate operators and production personnel in both basic and advanced techniques for consistent and repeatable printing in any segment of the flexo industry. All three levels are closely aligned with the specifications espoused in FIRST (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances). At the completion of the course, attendees will be administered the Level I Certification exam and can then begin the Level II and III courses via the online TEST Virtual Campus, to ultimately win their FIRST Press Operator Certifications.

“Let’s face it, what separates top-notch printing/converting companies from the rest of the pack is their human capital – their knowledge and skills are the most critical element for success,” says Joe Tuccitto, FTA Director of Education. “If you don’t have a well trained, knowledgeable workforce, how can you possibly expect to see increased business and repeat orders? That’s why we’re offering this free course. We want to help organizations get a jump-start to achieving their certifications, so that they can meet, with ease, CPC demands of speed, quality and cost-effectiveness.”

The free course is available to those who are registered to attend FFTA’s Annual Forum and who have booked their sleeping rooms at Paris Las Vegas. For more information on FFTA’s Annual Forum and Info*Flex Exhibition and the FIRST Certification Program, visit www.flexography.org.