 The Flexo in Education Program was established in 1993 with the pilot high school located in Charlotte, NC. Originally called the Flexo in High School Program (FIHS), the program has grown to include post-secondary schools, as well as high schools. The program was the vision of Ron and Katherine Harper, Harper Corporation of America, to form a partnership between education and the flexographic industry to fill the need for trained workers. The program brings together the support of the industry, the Foundation of FTA, Tag & Label & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI), and schools.
 In order to participate, schools must have an existing printing program and a desire to expand their curriculum to include flexography. The second step is to obtain local flexo-oriented support (also known as an “Industry Champion”). If the school has difficulty establishing or locating an industry contact, FFTA will help locate industry leaders. After obtaining an Industry Champion, a meeting can be arranged between school officials, industry supporters, and FFTA to further discuss each party’s role in the process. Once commitments are secured, an application must be submitted to the FFTA/TLMI Advisory Council for approval. Upon approval, orders will be placed for the equipment needed, which includes:
- Narrow-web Press
- Platemaker
- Platemounter
- Anilox Rolls
- Tooling for the Press
The benefits to students and the industry are numerous. Students learn marketable skills so they may enter the workforce upon graduating from school, while the industry benefits through the establishment of trained and skilled individuals with a basic understanding of flexo technology. Currently there are 20 high school program members and 28 post-secondary school program members.
About the Sponsors
 Founded in 1974, the activities of the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) are exclusively charitable and scientific. It is dedicated to advancing the state of the flexographic art by conducting regional meetings, sponsoring training projects, collecting, evaluating and disseminating technical information, and providing scholarships and other aids to further flexographic education.
 The Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) is North America's leading trade association dedicated to the tag and label industry. TLMI's member companies are among the world leaders in technology achievement, capable of delivering the highest quality of tags and labels. TLMI's mission is to provide forums for information exchange through technical seminars and conferences. They are designed to educate and improve product quality and production efficiency.
If you would like additional information about the Flexo in Education Program, please contact Shelley Rubin, FFTA Education & Meetings Associate, via email or at 631-737-6020. |
