Kennebunk, ME, May 16, 2002 — The National Council Digital Imaging Certification Examination (DICE) is in the final phase of development, following the recently-completed DICE knowledge test-item validation. Edmond L. Kelley, Council board chairman, announced, "With the expansion of performance-based components in each of the Series, the examination will have the capability to indicate a candidate’s imaging performance in specific tasks, with successful completion of a DICE examination indicating a favorable performance profile for the candidate." Kelley concluded, "In addition—and while NC prepress and press certification examinations are not specifically designed as benchmark examinations or for determining skill levels for employment purposes—the potential of any industrial skill-knowledge examination with both knowledge- and performance-based test items can simulate a candidate’s basic performance aptitude. In so doing, it can assist management with the development of a career development path for the employee." Industry organizations contributing SME to this phase of the project include Appalachian State University, John Craft, associate professor, Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology; The Castle Press, Betty Dieterle, prepress manager; Enovation, Inc., Steven Ross, electronic sales and support; Fuji Photo Film, USA/Graphic Systems, Eric Neumann, product development manager, Color Input Products; Green Printing Company, Vicki Stone, director, prepress operations; Heidelberg USA, Inc., James Burke, director, prepress service and training; Japs-Olson Company, Chris Illa, production and workflow manager; Williams Printing Company, Thomas Jefferson, regional prepress representative; Graphic Communications International, Curtis Thormodsgaard, president; and PDFexperts.com, Bill Carberry, president. The SMEs completing this developmental phase of the project are under the direction of James Mendes, examination development project manager, Adobe Solutions Network. Council certification by the DICE Series will be awarded in each of the four examinations in the Series: Composition, Job Engineering, Image Capture and Digital Output. Imaging personnel will be able to take any of the DICE Series based on experience alone: those interested in prior review and study may access www.StaffingTools.com for (1) on-line prepress training from StaffingTools, Inc., and (2) the Digital Imaging Review Program, developed by the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) and StaffingTools, Inc. DICE certification is applicable to graphic designers, desktop publishers, preflighters, output specialists, scanner operators, digital press operators, and prepress managers in the printing, publishing and advertising industries. For each examination successfully passed, NC candidates will receive the Expert Digital Imaging Technician (EDIT) 5x7-inch certificate and letter of commendation. Upon successful completion of all four exams in the Series, the NC awards the Master Digital Imaging Technician (MDIT) 8.5x11-inch certificate, an attractive NC lapel pin and letter of commendation. Candidates must have three years of experience in the task areas of the examination in which they seek certification, and sponsorship by a company department manager, human resource manager, or plant manager. EDIT certification is effective for three years from date of successful completion. The NC Web site, www.ncssgc.org, will carry full information pertaining to DICE Series availability in a "Candidates Procedures Guide," with sample test questions and registration fee structure. The National Council is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors, established to maintain and improve the competitiveness of the graphic communications industry through the development and maintenance of skill standards; the promotion and dissemination of skill standards; and the voluntary testing and certification of technical professionals in graphic communications. Contact William Smith, managing director, National Council for Skill Standards, 408 Lafayette Center, Kennebunk, Maine 04043. Phone: 207-985-9898. Fax: 207-985-6347. Email: [email protected]. Web site: www.ncssgc.org. The DICE Series was initially designed, developed and validated in conjunction with StaffingTools, Inc. (STI). StaffingTools.com will serve as the URL of the Learning Management System that will deliver the DICE Series throughout the United States and Canada at participating Printing Industries of America (PIA) affiliate associations, vo-tech schools and community colleges by mid-summer, 2002. The Series will also be proctored by special arrangement on an in-plant basis, when the above sites are not local to the candidate. StaffingTools, Inc. is a United States-based e-learning company focused on providing a complete assessment, training and certification system for the Graphic Communications Industry with content that has trained over 15,000 employees in the U.S. alone. Contact: Julie Jankowski, Director of Corporate Sales, 3902B Old SR 37 South, Bloomington, IN 47401. Phone: 812-355-3030. Fax: 812-355-3040. Email: [email protected]. Web site: www.staffingtools.com.