An introduction to digital print will run alongside the existing intermediate course run by the academy, based at Walsall College, and will look at software, basic colour management, materials and printing techniques. Costs and duration of the course are being finalised but it will be open to anyone in print.
Roland Academy and creative centre manager Joe Wigzell said: "The course is aimed at people new to the industry or those who have maybe bought a smaller or second-hand machine. A typical course has up to eight people per class and we could be looking at the same numbers.
"We found varying levels of experience on the intermediate course and felt, for some people, the intermediate level was a bit too far forward; it would be good to take a step back and be given a bit more of an overview of the industry as well as some hands-on work."
The Roland Academy offers a range of courses for printers and sign makers looking to either up-skill or refresh their technical and industry knowledge. Other courses include basic application and finishing and vehicle wrapping
It also runs Roland Boot Camps, one-day training courses focused on teaching users how to maximise their investment in Roland products such as the VersaStudio BN20 desktop printer. Wigzell said he wanted to roll out these courses to newer equipment as and when launched.
Based at Walsall College for seven years, the academy has educated hundreds of sign makers and printers and "is a core part of the commercial proposition at Roland", according to Wigzell.
Meanwhile, Walsall College has been awarded an "outstanding grade" by Ofsted. It is the first further education provider in the UK to receive the outstanding grading under Ofsted’s new inspection framework.
For further information on upcoming courses visit www.rolanddg.co.uk/support/academy.
