It is the first time that Bobst has opened up its training courses to operators that may not be users of Bobst equipment.

Bobst, which has its own UK training facility in Redditch, has developed two courses for die-cutting and carton gluing.

The three-day courses will begin running from early summer 2010. Both programmes will cover skills required to run equipment for maximum productivity, including techniques for shortening makeready times, minimising waste, reducing stops in production, and running at the highest possible speed while ensuring consistency and quality.

Mike Rice, regional services manager for Bobst in the UK and Ireland, said: "Up until now, we have only offered courses to Bobst customers. However, the skills and knowledge a flat-bed die-cutter or carton gluer operator needs to optimise production are essentially the same whether they are running a Bobst line or something else.

"Our product specialists who run our courses have a vast amount of experience in the industry, including in-depth knowledge of other makes of machine. So our guys will be able to point out where there are any differences between running Bobst equipment and running the machines the delegates are using."

A final test will quantify how well delegates have learnt and successful completion may also count towards an NVQ qualification.

The courses will be available at a discounted rate to BPIF Cartons' member companies. In some parts of the country, part or full grants may be available through BPIF's Business Links.