Compositors or phototypesetters operate and tend machines that provide typeset matter. Typeset matter is used to prepare printing plates for the pressroom worker who prints newspapers, magazines and various other publications.
Compositors read from copy clipped to typesetting machines and operate a keyboard. There are two kinds of compositors:
Linotype compositors: assemble letters into lines of words, called slugs.
Monotype compositors: feed perforated tape into machines that read and select metal moulds for each letter.
Phototypesetters type text and produces a magnetic or perforated tape. The tape is fed into a computer that hyphenates, creates columns, and makes a second tape, which is photographed.
Satisfying Aspects
- satisfaction of seeing the job completed
- reading interesting articles while working
Demanding aspects
- working shifts
- lack of variety in work activities
Requirements
- at least 16 years old
- manual dexterity
- good eye-hand coordination
- good eyesight
- healthy
School Subjects
Grade 10 Certificate for a learnership at a company.
National Senior Certificate for full-time training at the South African Printing College
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, English
Recommended Subjects: Languages
Training
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.
3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the
new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
South African Printing College
Employer
- newspaper plants
- commercial printing companies
- book and magazine publishers
- government departments
- banks and insurance companies
- advertising agencies
- firms that do their own printing
Contact
Printing Industries Federation of South Africa
PIFSA National Office
P O Box 1396
Gallo Manor, 2052
The Braids
113 - 115 Bowling Avenue
Gallo Manor, 2191
Tel: (011) 287-1160 Fax: (011) 287-1178
www.pifsa.org