Print Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3)

Summary

A fantastic opportunity to develop strong core knowledge of the print production process. This role combines gaining experience in a specific area alongside academic workbooks, with support from external trainers and colleagues. GPI is a global Company, and we can offer you the skills to grow and succeed in the Print Industry.

Wage

£22,935.61 a year

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Salary increased periodically through out training

Training course

Print technician (level 3)

Hours

Working a continental shift pattern consisting of: 12-hour night shifts 6pm until 6am 12-hour day shifts 6am until 6pm in rotation. 28-day shift cycle example: x 3 nights, x 8 off, x 3 days, x 3 off, x 3 nights, x 2 off, x 3 days.

36 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 June 2025

Duration

3 years

Positions available

4

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

To develop individual skills, both on a technical, practical and interpersonal basis
To provide a continual and effective service within the department, fulfilling key tasks as required.
To maintain good housekeeping, whilst working to specific maintenance schedules and work practices.
To work effectively and efficiently as part of a cohesive team.
To establish the ability and confidence to lead a small team.
To successfully complete all parts of the BPIF Print Technician apprenticeship course along with the End Point Assessment.
Optimise opportunities to learn and extend technical skills and knowledge.
Collate and present evidence of assignments carried out during the apprenticeship training.
Maintain regular contact with trainers, assessors/observers and Managers.
Ensure compliance with all existing systems, standards and procedures.
Assist in organising the workplace to achieve high standards of housekeeping.
Carry out specific tasks and duties as directed, in accordance with learning programme, current skills level and targets agreed.
Work with a number of crews to gain experience in all aspects of the specific print area i.e print press, web press or cut and crease.
Understand, and be able to arrange and provide effective and timely supply of all consumables to the area, as required to meet the production plan (including board, adhesives, packing materials).
Monitor production and carry out removal of all waste materials to correct locations.
Maintain a flexible attitude towards production requirements, to meet Company objectives and targets.
Interact effectively with crew member, assisting as directed in other tasks as required, and learning the skills required to lead a team.

Where you’ll work

Cockburn Fields
Middleton Grove
Leeds
LS11 5LX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

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

You will undertake professional development and training as part of a cohort of apprentices with the British Printing Industries Federation completing the Level 3 Print Technician apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship is delivered over 36 months and covers essential core competencies required within the print industry as well as specialist knowledge, skills and behaviour in your chosen department.
You will build a portfolio of work, demonstrating your application of effective print technician duties as well as keep a time log of skills learnt.

You will meet with the BPIF tutor once a month for training and review purposes, based on site in our training room.

More training information

The End Point Assessment will assess the development of your Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours within the Print Technician Apprenticeship and will consist of an observation of your work, an interview underpinned by your portfolio of evidence and a multiple choice test.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)
Science (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

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

About this company

Global Print & Packaging Manufacturer

Company benefits

5% company pension contribution x 2 Life Assurance.

After this apprenticeship

Once qualified you will be able to reach the desirable position of 'Printer' or 'Operator' depending on the area of print you work in. Your career path can take you to becoming a Team Leader then Shift Leader, Department manager and even Operations Manager!

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Graphic Packaging International - Leeds

Jasmine

hr.leeds@graphicpkg.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000316998.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Saturday 24 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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