Apprentice Printer

Summary

An outstanding opportunity to join an innovative professional team in Hertfordshire, working in the graphics industry as a print apprentice. As an Apprentice Printer, you will be taught industry core knowledge and go on to run small and large printing presses.

Annual wage

£12,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

between £12,500 and £16,000 dependent on age.

Training course

Print technician (level 3)

Hours

Mon-Fri 37.5 hours between 8:00-16:30 with one hour lunch break.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 1 October

Duration

2 Years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

What you will do in your working day

As an apprentice you will be trained to be responsible for setting up and operating the wide format printers and setting files up on the rips ready for print. Ensuring all daily and long-term orders are completed within the required timescales. Ensuring all products produced meet both quality control standards and the clients' specifications.

The role is also responsible for assisting with design and product development, using skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Microsoft Office Software.

All training for the relevant skills will be given in house at LTD.

In addition to the Apprenticeship Standard syllabus, you will:

Receive hands on training for specialist printing equipment and machinery
Understand the culture, values and processes of the printing and graphic communication industry
Develop technical knowledge of print industry practices
Deal with customer expectations, resolving problems and ensuring quality
Transfer data files, setting up presses for production
Work in accordance with company quality procedures at all times to ensure compliance with working practices and standards
Once trained, show you have the ability to operate machinery in the most effective & safe manner
Notify supervisor of any discrepancies or errors
Ensure the allocated machinery/equipment you use is checked before use
Clean the machines and complete minor maintenance
Adhere to health and safety, environmental requirements and laws

Role and Responsibilities:

Operating both wide format printers and presses
Monitor required timescales of the printed products
Ensure a constant and productive flow of work for the printed products.
Perform the daily clean and maintenance on the wide format printer Operater Oknyx rip software and opportunity to develop towards using the Adobe suite
Assist in stock control highlighting when stock is low
Communicate both verbally and written with all clients
Liaise with back office
Perform all duties in line with Company Standards, Environmental Policy, Code of Conduct and Health and Safety Standards
Provide cover for other team members during busy periods, absence and holidays

The role is an apprenticeship so training will be provided to enable you to carry out the above role and responsibilities.

Where you’ll work

15 Merchant Drive

Mead Lane

Hertford

SG13 7AY

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Print technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.

Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.

Plan and prioritise work

Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.

Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.

Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.

Communicate in writing.

Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.

Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.

Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.

Apply team working principles.

Convert customer files to print-ready files using software and workflow packages.

Check, process and transmit digital files using software.

Create and edit digital images.

Conversion of digital files into colour separations for the defined production method.

Apply digital techniques to produce a proof.

Apply colour profiles to the design.

Apply production techniques to produce plates, screens, or output files.

Apply pre-press quality assurance procedures.

Set up and check the multi-unit print press, including speeds, inks and toners and pre-printing quality checks.

Follow print press start up or warm up procedures.

Apply print press operations and techniques, including managing colour. Handle variable data on digital presses.

Follow quality control processes during printing, including checking for colour matching, print resolution, product consistency.

Apply press equipment and machinery maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.

Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, hand over procedures. Escalate issues.

Apply press quality assurance procedures.

Apply safe systems of work to the printing press process in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidelines. This should include identifying risks and hazards and the handling and disposal of chemicals.

Set up finishing equipment for example, guillotines, stitching-trimming machinery, binding machinery, laminating equipment, die-cutters.

Operate finishing equipment to apply different finishing processes, for example, varnishing, folding, embossing and debossing, foil blocking, scoring, packing, gluing, match and attach, tab and slot, sorting, banding.

Prepare printing for next stage, including packing and wrapping.

Apply post-press equipment maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.

Apply post-press quality assurance procedures such as checking for folding accuracy, stitch alignment, foil position.

Apply safe systems of work to the finishing process in compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines, including the handling and disposal of chemicals.

Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.

Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.

Plan and prioritise work

Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.

Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.

Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.

Communicate in writing.

Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.

Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.

Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.

Apply team working principles.

Your training plan

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the qualification obtained will be a L3 Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard (press pathway).

The apprentice will be given sufficient time to undertake their "off-the-job" requirement of the apprenticeship.

Throughout your time as an apprentice, you will be supported by both Learn to Dream and the BPIF.

You will be assigned a training coordinator to ensure that you have the best training available.

Training requirements will be discussed at the point of employment to suit your individual needs and business needs.

Most training and studying will be site-based.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Communication skills
Customer care skills
Initiative
IT skills
Organisation skills
Patience
Problem solving skills
Team working

About this company

Based in Hertfordshire, we deliver print, design and installation projects across the commercial, public and private sectors throughout the UK and Europe. We've worked on sites ranging from offices, retail, education and hospitals through to museum exhibitions and private commissions. Whatever you need, we'll find a way.

After this apprenticeship

A successfully qualified Apprentice will be offered a full time position. As a professional member of the team, optional training in other departments will be available, with potential career progression for ambitious individuals.

Ask a question

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