Print Operative Apprentice

Lotus Labels

EASTBOURNE, BN23 6QE

Closes on Friday 25 October

Posted on 30 August 2024

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Contents

Summary

We are a modern packaging printing and converting company in Eastbourne with 13 employees. For our production department we are looking to employ a Print Operative who will be trained across a range of production equipment, including flexographic and digital printing machinery and related finishing equipment.

Annual wage
£20,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay per annum: £20,000 for under age 21, £23,000 for over age over 21.

Training course
Print operative (level 2)
Hours
Mon – Thu: 8:00 – 16:30. Fri: 8:00 – 13:45 With a 15 min break

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 4 November

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

This is a full-time role, working 40 hours per week

The initial, introductory operator training lasting over two working weeks will be conducted across the full range of production machinery in our factory. This will provide the required understanding of factory workflows and basic product knowledge.

Following that, the focus will be on flexographic print operation under the guidance of our senior flexo-printer. This will involve training on machine preparation for production, the printing process itself and ongoing quality control. The print operative is expected to develop proficiency with the aim of operating our flexographic press by themselves, initially under supervision and later un-supervised.

Tasks will include:

  • Reading, understanding and following instructions on the job-sheet
  • Print substrate preparation and press webbing
  • Printing cylinder preparation and plate mounting
  • Print unit preparation, including inks and varnishes
  • Die-cut unit cylinder preparation
  • Slitting-unit setting
  • Lamination station setting
  • Automatic re-winder preparation and setting
  • Machine cleaning and regular maintenance work
  • Time sheet completion

Depending on workloads, operation of other machinery in the factory will be required. Specific training will be provided prior to machine operation.

Where you’ll work

UNIT 1

PARK VIEW

ALDER CLOSE

EASTBOURNE

BN23 6QE

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

LEARN 2 PRINT LIMITED

Your training course

Print operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents
  • Read, interpret and follow information, for example, printing instructions and specifications
  • Inspect work against specifications and quality standards, for example, works instructions, colour standard, materials or files received
  • Record information: digital or manual
  • Follow health and safety regulations, legislation and procedures: PPE, manual handling and ergonomic practice
  • Follow environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures
  • Communicate with colleagues: written, verbal or digital. For example, using digital tools such as email, Information technology (IT) telephony, social media, multi-media, video, infographics
  • Implement solutions as developed by management or supervisors
  • Identify and report production issues. For example, missing fonts, incorrect materials supplied, wrong adhesive indicated
  • Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Select and use software packages for pre-press, design or workflow tasks. For example, MS Office or equivalent, pdf workflow such as ‘Screen True-flow’, ‘Adobe InDesign’, ‘Adobe Illustrator’ and ERP system such as ‘Tharstern’
  • Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Select, check and use equipment for the production of a printed or digital ‘proof’
  • Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Calibrate proof production equipment
  • Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Select, check and use equipment for the production of plates, screens, output files and materials
  • Option 2: Press Operative. Identify and set up printing presses
  • Option 2: Press Operative. Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate printing equipment
  • Option 2: Press Operative. Inspect the quality of print output during production run. For example, colour management, print resolution and product consistency
  • Option 2: Press Operative. Follow print press shut down procedures
  • Option 2: Press Operative and Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Prepare print material for the next stage in production. For example, palletising; ensuring all material laid in the same direction, boxing, labelling
  • Option 2: Press Operative and Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Identify and segregate printed materials into those for use in the next stage of production and those for recycling or disposal
  • Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Identify, set up and load finishing equipment with materials. For example, guillotines, stitching-trimming machinery, binding machinery, laminating equipment, die-cutters
  • Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate Post Press finishing equipment
  • Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Inspect the quality of the finishing and report any issues arising during the process. For example, misalignment or gathering
  • Read, interpret and follow information, for example, printing instructions and specifications
  • Inspect work against specifications and quality standards, for example, works instructions, colour standard, materials or files received
  • Record information: digital or manual
  • Follow health and safety regulations, legislation and procedures: PPE, manual handling and ergonomic practice
  • Follow environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures
  • Communicate with colleagues: written, verbal or digital. For example, using digital tools such as email, Information technology (IT) telephony, social media, multi-media, video, infographics
  • Implement solutions as developed by management or supervisors
  • Identify and report production issues. For example, missing fonts, incorrect materials supplied, wrong adhesive indicated

    • Your training plan

    Intermediate Apprenticeship Standard for Print Operatives (Level 2)

    A full plan will be created at the start of the apprenticeship to provide information as to what you will be studying and when. Learn2print will deliver the theoretical knowledge for your Print apprenticeship.

    You will attend a class each month for one full day at a local venue (this information will be provided on interview) This teaching and training will cover everything from health and safety and general industrial practices to specific industry practices.

    This will lead you to preparation for your end point assessment, consisting of an online exam, professional discussion and observation in the workplace. You will be allocated a designated tutor and workplace mentor who will support and guide you through the apprenticeship.

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE in:

    • English (grade Grade C/4 or above)
    • Maths (grade Grade C/4 or above)

    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

    • Communication skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Problem solving skills
    • Number skills
    • Analytical skills
    • Logical
    • Team working
    • Initiative
    • Non judgemental
    • Patience
    • Physical fitness
    • Interest in technical detail
    • Ability to focus

    Other requirements

    We are in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Eastbourne. There is a bus-stop ca. 300 meters away from the company

    About this company

    At Lotus Labels, we offer expert solutions for all your labelling requirements. Whilst having served the broader traditional consumer label market for decades, we have gradually stepped up technologically and have become an established supplier to the luxury packaging market, producing high-end labels and embellished cartons.

    https://www.lotuslabels.com/ (opens in new tab)

    After this apprenticeship

    • Multi-skilled print operative/printer

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    LEARN 2 PRINT LIMITED

    Andreas Schillinger

    andreas@lotuslabels.com

    01323 737888

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000273978.

    Apply now

    Closes on Friday 25 October

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.