Press Apprentice

Summary

We are looking for an Apprentice Press Operator to join our team and learn how to run high-speed printing machines. This is a hands-on role where you'll be trained by experienced professionals to operate reel-fed printing presses, producing high-quality printed materials. With regular feedback and progress reviews, this is a great opportunity.

Wage: £13,312 to £23,795.20 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Print operative (level 2)
Hours: Monday-Friday between 7am-3pm.
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 17 March
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

Learning to set up and operate high-speed reel-fed printing presses. Assisting in the production of NCR (no carbon required) pads, books, and sets, commonly used for invoices, delivery notes, and order forms. Monitoring the printing process to ensure colour consistency, print quality, and efficient production. Handling large rolls of paper and ensuring they are loaded correctly into the press. Carrying out regular quality checks to meet our 17-point quality control checklist. Learning how to maintain and clean the printing equipment to keep it running smoothly.

Where you’ll work

Ripley Printers Uk Ltd

Unit F

Salcombe Court

Alfreton

DE55 7EG

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

Full training on operating and maintaining high-speed printing presses. Regular feedback and progress reviews to support your learning and development. A friendly, experienced team to guide and mentor you. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the qualification obtained will be a Level 3 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 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 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

Analytical skills
Attention to detail
Logical
Number skills
Problem solving skills
Team working

About this company

Specialist printers of NCR pads, books and sets to other printers across the UK

After this apprenticeship

Opportunity to join the team on a full-time basis after successful completion and develop skills further.

Ask a question

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