For most businesses these days, 24 hours isn't enough time to get the day's job done. And training, to improve your operation and grow your business—who has time for that?

Training is a key factor though. At some point, businesses should offer a sufficient amount of training to their employees, not only to help run your company better but to improve each individual's sense of confidence in the position he or she holds.

In response, Converting offers our Guide to Workforce Training Resources. The courses listed here can assist you in your business career as well as increase your technical understanding of many processes and products within the converting industry.

Colleges/universities, industry associations and equipment/material suppliers that offer continuing education programs can be found here. While not a comprehensive list, the guide acts as an excellent starting point to determine what may work best for you.

For exact dates, locations and sponsors of continuing education events throughout the year, consult Converting's monthly "Datebook" industry calendar within the magazine or on our Web site: www.convertingmagazine.com

Clemson University

The Printing & Converting Research Center in Clemson, S.C., provides programs from electronic prepress and envelope converting to offset, screen and flexographic printing. Small hands-on flexo courses for operators are offered in both wide and narrow web fields. Wide-web testing can be done on the center's Carint Gemini 1290 and corrugated testing on the Bobst 160. Information: 864/646-5749, fax: 864/646-8230, e-mail: henryw@clemson.edu, Web site:www.virtual.clemson.edu/groups/printcon/

DiTrolio Flexographic Institute (DFI)

DFI, Broadview, Ill., offers industry-specific training seminars for all skill levels—from beginning press operations to advanced printing applications. This facility has a state-of-the-art environment where new press operators and seasoned industry professionals get hands-on exposure to printing and finishing processes. Information: 708/343-4334, fax: 708/343-4344, e-mail: flexotraining@flexotraining.com, Web site: www.flexotraining.com

Fox Valley Technical College

Fox Valley, Appleton, Wis., has a wide variety of classes and seminars for the converting industry. For those looking to earn a degree, a two-year associate program is offered for Printing & Publishing or Pulp & Paper Technology. Among its working-industry seminars, Fox Valley offers wide web press operation, narrow web press operation, corrugated press, and basic flexography classes throughout the year. This facility houses a 6-color, 47-in. CI-flexo press; a 6-color, 7-in. inline narrow web press; a 5-color, 16-in. inline narrow web press; and a Grand Intl. Workhouse 3-color flexo/diecutter. Information: 800/735-3882, Web site: www.foxvalley.tec.wi.us

Michigan State University School of Packaging

The MSU Packaging School has a B.S. as well as M.S. and Ph.D. programs for packaging degrees. For undergraduates, students get a strong grounding in science and mathematics, and a cognate in business, in addition to a set of courses in packaging. Elective courses give students the opportunity to specialize in various areas of packaging. Both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are flexible and allow students to increase their knowledge of packaging and expand their knowledge in related areas as well. For continuing education, MSU schedules specialized workshops for packaging professionals throughout the year. Information: 517/355-8332, fax: 517/353-1647, Web site: www.pkg.msu.edu

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Rochester, N.Y.-based RIT provides a Printing Technology program with an in-depth understanding of technical printing and imaging concepts and exposes students to high-level research methods. The institute's focus: Allow students to specialize in a particular technical area within the printing industry. Graphic-arts publishing and graphic-arts systems are two other related programs at RIT. Information: 716/475-2411, Web site: www.rit.edu

San José State University

This state university's packaging program covers wide-ranging topics from the principles of packaging to environmental issues and global distribution of goods. For the industry, San José conducts seminars and short courses throughout the summer months. Among the topics: packaging dynamics, package testing and evaluation. Each is covered in a full day, which includes a comprehensive set of lecture notes, literature on recent articles and research reports. Information: 408/924-3210, Web site: www.sjsu.edu/packaging

University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML)

Certificate programs in plastics engineering and plastics engineering technology with packaging are offered at UML. Students are given practical instructions applicable to the plastics and packaging industry. Throughout the year, UML also conducts seminars and workshops, which provide technical instruction in applications for plastics materials, processes, design and quality control. Information: 978/934-2480, fax: 978/934-3087, Web site: www.continuinged.uml.edu

Assn. of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC)

AICC, Alexandria, Va., holds planning and management-level seminars for corrugated converters that focus on management, sales and communication skill-building. Information: 800/630-8817, fax: 703/836-2795, Web site: www.aiccbox.org

Assn. of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters & Laminators (AIMCAL)

Technical seminars are a continuing-education specialty from Ft. Mill, S.C.,-based AIMCAL. An intensive course gives industry professionals a background in the group's three main converting processes each July during the AIMCAL Summer School. Its annual Fall Technical Conference, this year in Hilton Head, S.C., Oct. 22-24, also includes a tabletop exhibition, vendor presentations and panel discussions. Information: 803/802-7820, fax: 803/802-7821, Web site: www.aimcal.org

Converting Equipment Manufacturers Assn. (CEMA)

CEMA, Springfield, N.J., focuses on coating and laminating, and slitting/rewinding courses. Programs for equipment-manufacturing management (OEMs) that address community safety standards are another standout. Information: 973/379-1100, fax: 973/379-6507, Web site: www.cema-converting.org

Flexible Packaging Assn. (FPA)

Along with its members-only spring meeting, the FPA, Lithicum, Md., schedules an annual fall executive conference. This year's event "Collaborating for Success," set for Oct. 17 in Chicago, brings together industry experts speaking on the theme of partnership among vendors, converters and end-user customers. Information: 410/694-0800, fax: 410/694-0900, Web site: www.flexpack.org

Flexographic Technical Assn. (FTA)

In conjunction with Fox Valley Tech, Clemson Univ., RIT and California Polytechnic State Univ., the FTA, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., sponsors seminars on basic flexo technology, presswork and pressmanship, process color and flexo inks. Information: 631/737-6020, fax: 631/737-6813, Web site: www.fta-ffta.org

Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF)

Pittsburgh-based GATF's seminar roster includes spotlighting on-demand printing and computer-to-plate technology, along with programs on folding-carton converting and advanced sheetfed presswork for paperboard converters. Information: 800/910-GATF, fax: 412/741-2311, Web site: www.gatf.org

International Assn. of Diecutting & Diemaking (IADD)

Crystal Lake, Ill.-based IADD's upcoming calendar of events includes a technical seminar on folding-carton and corrugated industry training, and a chapter meeting on waterjet cutting of ejection materials and proper rubbering techniques. IADD also holds an extensive resource of technical articles from its recent Diecutting Odyssey seminars. Information: 815/455-7519, fax: 815/455-7510, Web site: www.iadd.org

Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP)

IoPP, Herndon, Va., sponsors seminars throughout the year on a variety of subjects ranging from the fundamentals of packaging to technology and advanced concepts. Information: 540/428-2092, fax: 703/814-4961, Web site: www.packinfo-world.org

Technical Assn. of the Pulp & Paper Industry (TAPPI)

Norcross, Ga.-based TAPPI hosts programs covering polymers, laminations and coatings; chemistry of lignins and other wood components; and nonwovens. Intermediate and advanced programs are offered depending on the student's level of experience. TAPPI also conducts an outreach program to enhance the image and attractiveness of the paper industry to children and young adults and provides members with information, materials, and ideas to facilitate their own education and community outreach efforts. Information: 770/446-1400, fax: 770/446-6947, Web site: www.tappi.org

Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI)

Besides being the organizing force behind the Labelexpo USA conference program, Naperville, Ill.-based TLMI offers its Fall Technical Conference in odd-numbered years. That two-day program (Sept. 17-18, 2001, in Chicago) gives industry professionals a look at the latest technology and market trends as well as a tabletop exhibition of products and services. Information: 630/357-9222, 800/533-TLMI, Web site: www.tlmi.com