PrintIT! has teamed up with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Graphic Enterprise Scotland (GES) to launch PrintIT! Scotland, which yields a potential catchment for PrintIT! of more than 300 secondary schools in Scotland.
This extension of the PrintIT! brand follows the success of PrintIT! in England, which was first launched to English schools in September 2005 and has recently registered its 100,000th student.
Says Paul Evans, project director of PrintIT!, “It’s been a truly collaborative effort getting PrintIT! Scotland off the ground, and once again, I am indebted to all the sponsors who have continued to support PrintIT! I’m delighted that we are able to introduce this initiative into Scottish schools, and am confident we can replicate the success that PrintIT! has enjoyed so far in showing students what print can achieve in today’s world and how they can play a part in its future as potential industry leaders of tomorrow.”
PrintIT! Scotland is a curriculum-mapped project aligned to the Standard Grade Graphic Communication Course and culminates in a competition whereby winning students and their schools are awarded prizes. The initiative includes free teaching course books and student guides, detailed lesson plans, online and multimedia resource materials, and flexible, easy-to-teach course units, all designed to meet criteria in the Illustration and Presentation elements of the course.
Neil MacGowan, head of corporate affairs at the Scottish Qualifications Authority adds, “PrintIT! Scotland has all the hallmarks of a valuable and effective means of engaging with students and introducing them to the many career opportunities within the printing industry while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.”
Schools will also be given access to the ‘Twinning programme’, which links schools with local print-related businesses who can further assist teachers in the delivery of the course and provide the students with real hands-on experience and mentoring.
The teachers and student books were printed by Montgomery Litho Group (MLG) based in Glasgow, a member of Graphic Enterprise Scotland.
Commenting on PrintIT! Scotland, Bob Hodgson, director of Graphic Enterprise Scotland says, “It’s really exciting to be involved in a project that not only plays a role in the education of our youngsters, but also gives them the opportunity to learn more about our high-tech industry. We will also be encouraging our members to get involved too as part of the Twinning Programme, so they too can become part of something really special.”
For further information about the programme, visit the PrintIT! Scotland website at www.printit.org.uk/scotland
