Case Study: SENA – Technical Training for the Graphic Arts Industry in Colombia

History and Context

The National Learning Service (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje - SENA) is the largest public technical and technological training institution in Colombia, with a nationwide presence across 117 locations and a strategic role in developing the country’s productive talent. With a student population largely between the ages of 15 and 24, the institution accounts for approximately 45% of all technical and technological training nationwide.

As a driver of workforce education, SENA develops programs focused on high-impact productive sectors, including the graphic arts industry—an area that demands highly skilled talent in digital printing technologies, prepress and post-production processes, color management, and new graphic production models.

In this context, one of SENA’s training centers, located in a historically vulnerable area of Bogotá (formerly known as the “Bronx”), began a transformation process aimed at strengthening its educational capacity, closing gaps in access to technology, and expanding opportunities for young people seeking education, employment, and social mobility.

Challenge of the institution

To expand the reach of its graphic arts training programs and respond to the needs of the productive sector, SENA identified five strategic challenges:

1. Strengthen technical training processes in digital printing and graphic production: update equipment and methodologies to align with industry standards.
2. Reduce dropout rates in technical and technological programs: by improving the educational experience to increase retention and attract new learners.
3. Expand the graphic arts offering: enhance pedagogical and technological capabilities to train specialized talent.
4. Promote job placement for youth in vulnerable contexts: increase the relevance of training and its connection to the productive sector.
5. Create modern educational spaces in historically underserved areas: build a safe, innovative, and practice-oriented learning environment.

SENA aimed to evolve toward a training model in which technology, infrastructure, and processes are integrated to deliver industry-ready technical talent.

Ricoh Solution

Ricoh designed and implemented an integrated solution aimed at transforming the academic experience in graphic arts. This solution included:

1. Reliable technological infrastructure for students and instructors: deployment of printing devices across SENA’s national network to ensure academic and operational continuity at each location.
2. Equitable access to learning: provision of endpoints for learners and instructors (especially in vulnerable regions), ensuring that knowledge, content, and hands-on practice are always available.
3. Classrooms as a collaborative workplace: enablement of environments that support classes, tutoring, and demonstrations, expanding training reach without geographic barriers.
4. Industry-standard laboratories: creation of the Creative Talent Center in the Bronx, integrating professional technology (high-volume Ricoh Pro C7500 multifunction printer, cutting plotter, and complementary equipment) in a historically underserved area to enable new training opportunities.
5. Consultative support and institutional coordination.

Results

The implementation established a modern and highly relevant ecosystem for national technical training, delivering measurable academic and social impact:

• +20% increase in enrollment in graphic arts programs: higher demand driven by new technological and pedagogical capabilities.
• +40% improvement in educational space adequacy and innovation: modern environments aligned with graphic industry standards.
• 15 programs strengthened: the solution enhanced the center’s curriculum offering.
• 1,500 learners benefited annually: with access to modern hands-on training.
• 100% of instructors involved in graphic printing processes directly impacted: strengthened teaching and technological capabilities.
• 8% reduction in intersemester absenteeism: reflecting a more engaging and relevant environment.

Additionally, the project became a replicable model within SENA and other government institutions, opening opportunities in other cities and sectors.

The partnership between SENA and Ricoh demonstrates how technology, collaboration, and technical training can be integrated to generate social impact, strengthen national talent, and drive the country’s productive development.

This case stands as a regional benchmark in the modernization of technical education, reaffirming Ricoh’s commitment to transforming experiences, closing gaps, and creating new opportunities for communities.

Ricoh LATAM transforms learning experiences with the sole purpose of empowering professionals ready to meet market demands.

Ricoh Latin America, and SENA Purral acted together in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for a better future:

Ricoh at a global level is a company committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by solving social problems through business with the sole purpose of achieving economic growth, a better planet. and a better society.

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