This time I will talk about operators. I believe that in the current state of the industry they are not given the true value they deserve. Within a printing company, the operators have a gigantic value. I believe that the value that a printing company gives to the operator has a lot to do with the value that the operator gives to the activity carried out within the company.

I consider that it is the operator himself who is not giving himself the importance he deserves. 

This Is what?s Happening in the Industry: 

The truth is that there are demands from operators all over the world, however, there is no ability to understand how far the operator should go in his activities.

 In my research on LinkedIn, I found two companies in the US that were looking for digital printing operators for their companies. It caught my attention that their requirements were so basic. They all say they have to have computer skills, communication skills, social skills, basically pretty standard applications. Basically, it would be the same skills for a receptionist as for a digital printing operator.

The skills they requested from the operators in terms of their trade were basically ordering materials, having the ability to deliver materials on time, and having the ability to work overtime.

I believe that companies do not ask for more skills because they do not get more qualified people in the market. And digital print operators don't offer more because they're not ready for it.

Operators simply don't understand the capabilities they can have and how important their role is in doing efficient work for the business.

This is how I believe it should be done

For me, an essential operator in the company where he works does everything possible to move up in the salary scale. The trade of operators in the industry is poorly paid. When comparing how much a chef earns, when a mechanic earns, and how much a nurse earns, the operator does not earn enough. An operator only earns $0.30 more than a receptionist earns.

This exposes a problem about something that neither the operators nor the owners of digital printing companies understand about the trade. 

So, what are the requirements that should be met to be an essential operator in a company?

• Operators must be able to handle the color profile for every request they get. 
• An operator must know why a machine is failing, or can?t generate a certain type of color or not.
• An Operator must be able to evaluate material, a specific ink, and a machine and be able to predict the result.

He also must know how to adjust to what the company presents as its main product.

And they should know how to perform regular equipment maintenance.

A great operator, an essential operator should know how to evaluate equipment and be able to suggest equipment for purchase. In some cases, companies do not have the best machines to make their products and it is the operator who has the best experience to make recommendations.