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
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