Empowering the Next Generation of Print Professionals: Fiery Partners with Graphic Communications Scholarship Foundation

In this article, written and sponsored by Fiery, read about how, through a strategic partnership with the Graphic Communications Scholarship Foundation (GCSF), Fiery is not only providing access to best-in-class resources and certifications but also creating a bridge between theoretical classroom knowledge and real-world print applications.

CTA: Master the essential skills of printing with Fiery Learning

By Pedro Da Silva, Senior Manager, Fiery Educational Services

The rapid evolution of digital print technology has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges to the print industry. To stay competitive, companies need highly skilled professionals who understand both the technological intricacies and the practical applications of advanced print solutions. Fiery, the print industry’s leading innovator in color management, print automation, and Raster Image Processing (RIP) technology, is tackling this demand head-on with programs aimed at fostering the next generation of digital print talent. Through a strategic partnership with the Graphic Communications Scholarship Foundation (GCSF), Fiery is not only providing access to best-in-class resources and certifications but also creating a bridge between theoretical classroom knowledge and real-world print applications.

This initiative, which offers students access to Fiery Professional Certification and hands-on experience with Virtual Fiery platforms, is poised to transform the way students prepare for careers in digital print. Through the online Fiery Learning platform, the initiative offers students training in critical skills around color management, print workflow, automation, and software integration—essential areas for modern print environments, and skills that will give students a significant advantage as they enter the competitive job market.

The Growing Demand for Skilled Print Professionals

As the digital print sector continues to grow and diversify, the demand for a workforce skilled in complex digital print workflows has never been higher. Today’s print businesses face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality, customized products with shorter turnaround times, while also having to maintain cost-effectiveness. This requires operators and designers who are not only technically proficient but also innovative, adaptable, and knowledgeable about the latest advancements in digital print technology. Yet, many educational institutions struggle to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change, leaving students with theoretical knowledge but limited practical skills.

To help bridge this gap, Fiery has partnered with GCSF to ensure that students interested in careers in print receive the training they need to be job-ready from day one. Fiery’s central role in the commercial print industry, partnering with and driving most major brands of production printers and presses, makes it the ideal collaborator for this endeavor. With Fiery Learning – Fiery’s free online educational platform – students and educators alike can access an extensive catalog of free resources ranging from interactive courses to comprehensive how-to guides to engaging webinars covering a wide range of essential topics. This approach not only fills the gaps in traditional educational curricula but also provides a standardized pathway for students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the job market.

Fiery Professional Certification: A Game-Changer in Digital Print Education

One of the cornerstone offerings of Fiery’s partnership with GCSF is access to the Fiery Professional Certification. This certification program provides students with a recognized credential that demonstrates their expertise in Fiery’s solutions. Fiery Professional Certification has been achieved by thousands of print operators, and covers essential skills such as RIP technology, color management, and job automation—making it a valuable asset for any student pursuing a career in digital print.

Employers increasingly value certifications that signal job readiness and skill mastery, and the Fiery Professional Certification offers just that. By ensuring that students understand how to work with advanced digital print technology, this certification helps reduce the learning curve for new hires, saving employers valuable time and resources. For students, the certification represents a competitive edge in the job market, where they can showcase tangible proof of their skills and the confidence to handle the demands of fast-paced, high-volume digital print environments.

Virtual Fiery: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

While certification is essential, hands-on experience is equally critical. This partnership with GCSF goes beyond theoretical learning by providing students with access to Virtual Fiery, a state-of-the-art online platform that simulates real-world print environments. Virtual Fiery enables students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice by working hands-on with digital print workflows, troubleshooting issues, and experimenting with advanced automation features. With Virtual Fiery, students can experience the challenges and nuances of digital print production without needing a physical print shop or equipment.

For educational institutions, Virtual Fiery represents a powerful addition to the classroom, enabling instructors to supplement traditional lessons with real-world applications. This dynamic blend of theory and practice makes for a comprehensive learning experience that is both engaging and highly relevant.

Fiery Learning: Free, Accessible, and Comprehensive Educational Resources

One of the most compelling aspects of the partnership between Fiery and GCSF is the accessibility of its educational resources. Through Fiery Learning, students, instructors, and industry professionals can access a wealth of high-quality learning materials—entirely free of charge.

Fiery Learning includes a wide range of courses that cover everything from the fundamentals of digital print technology to advanced topics in color management and print automation. These user-friendly courses offer structured lessons, interactive exercises, and assessments that allow students to track their progress. Fiery Learning also offers how-to guides and webinars that explore specific topics in depth, exposing students to the latest trends and best practices in digital print.

The availability of these resources allows students to learn at their own pace, equipping them with knowledge that goes beyond classroom learning. By making this knowledge accessible to anyone with an internet connection, Fiery is democratizing print education, ensuring that cost and location are no barriers to learning. This initiative is especially important for students who may not have access to specialized digital print programs in their local educational institutions.

A Lasting Impact on the Digital Print Industry

Through its partnership with GCSF, Fiery is making a lasting impact on the print industry. By investing in the next generation of print professionals, Fiery is addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: the need for a skilled, knowledgeable workforce that can drive the future of digital print. The collaboration between Fiery and GCSF is setting a new standard for industry-supported education, providing students with a unique combination of certification, hands-on experience, and extensive learning resources.

This partnership between Fiery and GCSF represents a pioneering approach to education and workforce development in the digital print sector. By offering the Fiery Professional Certification, Virtual Fiery, and a wealth of free educational resources, Fiery and GCSF are not only preparing students for jobs but are actively shaping the future of digital print. As this partnership grows, it will continue to provide students, educators, and employers with the tools they need to thrive in an industry that is both challenging and full of opportunity.

GCSF/Fiery Partnership Highlights Commitment to Career Development

The Graphic Communication Scholarship Foundation's educational partnership with Fiery is in keeping with its commitment to training and mentoring – programs that complement its primary mission of awarding financial scholarships to students embarking on careers in the graphic communications media industry.

GCSF introduced Fiery technology to its community of students and industry professionals in a free online program titled Fueling Success: Fiery Professional Certification Launch. Presented by John Nate, Fiery’s Senior Education Developer and Trainer, the webinar reviewed the elements of Fiery certification and explained how it can be achieved in a self-paced program of study.

Attendees also received free access to Fiery learning resources for tasks such as file preparation and color management. Those working toward certification may consult with GCSF Board member Amybeth Menendez, a production workflow expert and educator who is taking the certification course herself.

Next up on the GCSF educational calendar is What's New in Adobe Firefly, Adobe Express and Photoshop Gen AI, an overview of these essential applications for digital design (December 5). One attendee will win a one-year Premium subscription to Adobe Express, a suite of tools for multimedia content creation.

Curated by Menendez and fellow GCSF Board member Dr. Bonnie Blake, the GCSF training program will host an ongoing schedule of free-to-attend educational events in spring / summer 2025. Among them are in-person classes at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), where GCSF supports the Department of Communications Design. Also to be offered are sessions for job-seekers on subjects such as preparing for employment interviews.

GCSF rounds out its support of career development with a 1:1 mentoring program that pairs students and recent graduates with experienced industry experts committed to helping them chart their careers and achieve their professional goals.

The Graphic Communications Scholarship Foundation (GCSF) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that supports students in the graphic communications media industry as well as schools and other institutions that promote careers in graphic media. The all-volunteer group has raised and contributed more than $1.4 million to the cause of education since awarding its first scholarships in 2002. For more information, please visit https://gcsfny.org.