Ricoh USA Inc. has announced Ricoh Advanced Career Education (ACE), an industry-first training program that certifies educators to prepare students for a career in the growing commercial print and sign, and graphics fields. Collaborating with industry partners, educational institutions and organizations nationwide, Ricoh ACE equips the next generation of print professionals with the skills to manufacture today's most complex print products and the tools to meet tomorrow's sophisticated print demands. The program supports economic development and empowerment by providing access to education and economic mobility to communities in need via careers within the high-demand print industry, furthering Ricoh's support of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Our goal is to provide innovative learning spaces for students to develop the critical thinking and life skills that position them for future success as contributors to an engaged community," said Dr. Cassandra Washington, executive director for career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE) and CEO of Hutchings CCA, Bibb County School District, Macon, Georgia. "Ricoh ACE offers an ideal opportunity to do just that, providing our instructors with the tools, technology and support needed to give students the practical and technical skills they will need in the real world — making them career-ready from the moment of graduation. We're proud to be leading the way as the first organization in the nation to deliver the program and excited to partner with Ricoh, whose team members and support are truly unmatched."

Ricoh ACE trains and certifies instructors across a range of educational institutions — including high schools, community colleges and adult education, career and technical schools — to deliver the curriculum to students at their local institutions, thereby certifying those students as well. ACE instructor training takes place at the Ricoh Customer Experience Center (CEC) in Boulder, Colorado, where Ricoh's print experts provide hands-on experience with the core printing industry technologies and technical processes employed today, as well as graphic design, specialty software, production automation, workflow best practices and in-depth industry insights. Participants in the training at the CEC are also granted future access to Ricoh's technical experts for ongoing remote support when delivering the curriculum at their respective educational institutions.

Program completion earns participants the Certified Sign and Graphic Production Specialist certification for both instructors and students, ensuring graduates have the necessary technical and professional skills, education and training to effectively become gainfully employed within the commercial print and sign, and graphics industries.

"With the current wave of unprecedented innovation in production printing, there's no better time to build and mentor new talent, especially in today's competitive market," said Derrick Rankin, vice president of professional services, software & strategic solutions, Ricoh USA Inc. "In direct support of United Nations' SDG number eight, which targets inclusive and sustainable economic growth and productive employment, the Ricoh ACE curriculum provides students with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary for direct entry into the high-demand printing industry — providing a springboard to a bright professional future."

"Combining education with real-world experience is exactly what the printing industry needs, and if we're being honest, we've needed it for a long time," said Cathy Skoglund, director of southwestern states member services, Printing Industries Association Inc. of Southern California. "I'm thrilled Ricoh has built a program that educates and certifies instructors to equip new print professionals with the training needed to help them excel on day one. Putting eager and energetic students together with print specialists to learn about the importance of print in our everyday lives will ultimately help our collective whole grow at the pace needed for success."

Ricoh ACE also integrates job search skills to ensure graduates and trainees are supported in their transition to the career field, including interview preparation, communication proficiency skills and a guaranteed job interview upon successful completion of the program.