Label Academy starting to prove its worth

Following the Label Academy’s launch at Labelexpo Europe in September 2015, considerable work has been undertaken to write and commission new book titles, and to further develop the website and build the online examination process.

Today, the website contains a synopsis of each published book along with related links to articles, video clips, white papers, supplier information and much more. Nearly 2,500 people have already registered on the Label Academy website, www.label-academy.com.

With a new title – Label Embellishments and Special Applications – out shortly, and two further titles in the design and production stages, it is planned to have some nine of the Label Academy handbooks on sale at Labelexpo Americas in Chicago later this year. The titles currently being finalized for production are:

- Brand Protection, Security Labeling and Packaging: Technologies and strategies for optimum product protection

- Die-cutting and Tooling: A guide to the manufacture and use of cutting, embossing and foiling dies, anvils and cylinders

- These handbooks are complemented by the Encyclopedia of Label Technology, and the History of Labels books, between them making up an impressive series of label industry learning and knowledge modules

New titles

Apart from the nine titles already published or in production, there are a further four handbooks in the early stages of writing or commissioning. These will cover topics as diverse as label substrates, label end usage, types of labels, and management information systems and workflow automation. It is hoped that the initial proposed series of 20 titles will be completed by the end of 2017.

Increasing numbers of label company employees have been taking the Label Academy Online examinations, with some individuals now able to claim successful passes and certification in up to five subjects. Built into annual appraisal and employee development programs, the Academy certification process is already beginning to prove its worth in developing the industry and its employees for the future. That’s both at new entrant and up to senior management levels.

Allied to the Label Academy publications has been the introduction of Academy master classes, two of which were run alongside Labelexpo Europe. Others have been provided for specific companies on request, and more are scheduled for Labelexpo Americas this year. The master classes provide intensive instruction for specified Academy subjects, such as ‘Conventional Printing Processes’ and are able to speed up the taking of examinations.

With a new group of Label Academy sponsors confirmed, promotional activities for the Academy have been stepped-up, including a recent Finat webinar, a presentation at the Finat Young Managers seminar in Budapest, a Labels Masters Challenge at the forthcoming Finat European Label Forum, and a new round of e-mail blasts and advertising.