POLESTAR TRAINING WITH IPODS FOR PRINT PRODUCTION TEAMS

Fourteen production executives from Emap Communications and Bauer Consumer Media have just completed a six-month Diploma, courtesy of Polestar and its Print Dynamics training system. For the first time, the trainees were given iPods to use, and revisit in their own time, which contained the relevant material for the course, including videos, 3D illustrations and photos.

Polestar’s rounded, one-stop training programme was the first time Emap Communications and Bauer Consumer Media had used external resources, as traditionally training sessions were carried out internally, on an as needed basis. Polestar offered its facilities and its expertise to develop a bespoke schedule, which covered six modules, from pre-press through to production and consumables to the environment. Where appropriate, the sessions were held at one of Polestar's plants, providing a genuine hands-on opportunity, as Peter Murphy, Creative Production Manager & Acting Head of Advertising Production at Bauer Consumer Media, explains. "This complete approach proved very successful as everyone who attended was better able to immerse themselves in the processes and facilities, unlike the ad-hoc printer-based experience they have had before."

He continues: "After each module, the participants presented their newly-acquired knowledge and ideas to the in-house Production Executive. They examined our business intelligently and applied what they had learnt, to come up with a number of cost- and time-saving initiatives, which are now being considered. We are also now looking to find additional experts in each department for particular areas, such as paper or the environment."

"We appreciate the hard work of all those at Polestar who were involved both centrally and at each of the sites we visited. Our experiences with Polestar have been extremely positive."

Darrin Stevens, Polestar Group Training Director, adds: "We were particularly pleased with the success of the iPods and are grateful to Kodak for their support in the development of the iPods training programme. It meant that the information could be personalised for each student, and they are less likely to lose them now they had added their own music!"

ENDS