November 21, 2002 -- The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation has recently completed a total revision of the competencies which form the basis for instruction in PrintED, a national accreditation program for graphic communications at the secondary and post-secondary levels. In addition, GAERF has begun the process of developing a national exit exam for students in PrintED classes to accommodate its adoption as a state-mandated program. "It is of utmost importance that PrintED maintain high standards of instruction, providing the knowledge and skills development that will prepare students for entry into the workforce or for pursuit of higher education, " said Foundation Chairman J. Kenneth Garner, President of United Litho in Ashburn, Virginia. "The development of a national exit exam is the next step in the process of ensuring that PrintED continues to meet the rigorous educational requirements set by individual states." The PrintED competencies consist of more than 400 tasks covering the seven areas in which a program can be accredited: Introduction to Graphic Communications, Binding and Finishing, Press Operations, Digital File Preparation, Digital File Output, Advanced Press Operations, and Advanced Digital File Preparation. Accreditation in the introductory course, as well as in one other area, is required. Institutions may choose to be accredited in additional areas based on their programs. -more- PrintED was developed in 1986 by the Printing Industries Association of Georgia (PIAG) at the request of the Georgia Department of Education to provide a set of skill standards for the state’s printing programs. In 1990, Printing Industries of America (PIA) adopted the Georgia program as a national industry-approved accreditation program. GAERF assumed management of PrintED in 2000. Currently, there are 135 accredited programs, 61 accreditation candidates, and 16 reaccreditation candidates. The PrintED National Accreditation Program is one part of GAERF’s mission. In addition to this program, the Foundation administers two other programs designed to support recruitment and training of a skilled workforce: the grant-making program which since its inception in 1983, has awarded over $4 million in funding, and MAKE YOUR MARKSM in Graphic Communications, a campaign to high schools aimed at promoting a positive image of the printing and graphic communications industry and raising student awareness of the industry’s diverse career opportunities. The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation was created by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), the Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing, and Converting Technologies (NPES) and the Printing Industries of America (PIA) in 1983. These three national associations jointly own the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC). GAERF was created to channel a portion of the revenues earned by GASC managed shows into projects supporting a strong future for the industry. For additional information about the Foundation and its programs, visit the GAERF web site at www.npes.org/gaerf or call toll-free at (866) 381-9839.