Multi-skilled Operator Apprentice

Summary

This is an opportunity to be the core of the next generation of print and finishing operators at a long established, ever evolving print firm. Producing retail display materials you will become proficient in setting and operating print and finishing machinery both tried and tested as well as cutting edge.

Annual wage: £12,480 to £22,308 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Print operative (level 2)
Hours: 37.5 Current hours are 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday (45 minute break) and 08:00 to 12:30 Friday.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Possible start date: Monday 3 March
Duration: 2 years
Positions available: 2

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

A typical day would involve setting and operating one of a number of machines including: Large format digital print machines. Large format digital cutting tables. Hand-fed platens. Guillotines and associated print finishing equipment. Some hand assembly of finished display units and prototyping would also be a regular feature of the role. Applicants with an affinity for machine setting and operation will find themselves in a role where no two days are the same.

Where you’ll work

The Valley Printing Co Ltd

Harden Beck Mill

Harden

Bingley

BD16 1BL

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 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

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship the qualification achieved will be a Level 3 Print Technician Standard. Throughout your time as an apprentice, you will be supported by both your employer and BPIF Training. 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 both your own and business needs.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths (grade 4)
English (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

Analytical skills
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Customer care skills
Initiative
IT skills
Logical
Non judgemental
Number skills
Organisation skills
Patience
Physical fitness
Problem solving skills
Team working

About this company

We are a multi-disciplined company within the temporary and permanent point of sale industry, remaining at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing across our UK, EMEA and US production facilities. We support brands in achieving success at retail, with our extensive expertise showcased through our long-term partnerships with the world's biggest brands. Our unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled service and value to our clients remains at the core of our business philosophy. We give people reasons to go shopping.

After this apprenticeship

A good, pro-active, personable and production oriented Multi-Skilled Operator has the potential for a supervisory role.

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