Description
Location: 1 Ramsden Road, Rotherwas, Hereford, HR2 6LR
Working for Alfaplas
Alfaplas is a leading manufacturer and supplier of plain and printed flexible films. With experience in Extrusion, Print, Lamination, Origination and Conversion.
With more than 40 years of extrusion experience Alfaplas Ltd was incorporated into the Sphere Group in 1992 when it took over ACP Plastics, which started as a polythene extrusion company in 1972.
We started printing in 1976 and moved to our current location on Rotherwas Industrial Estate in 1981 further expansion of our Print Department came in 2005 to accommodate new presses, slitting and ancillary equipment.
Our vision is to be one of the top UK integrated extrusion & flexible packaging manufacturers, focussing on customers’ high expectations of quality and service whilst continuing our investment, growth and development.
We are now looking for a Flexographic Printing Apprentice (Level 3) to join our team!
The Package
* Starting salary: £12.21 per hour
* Salary increases upon completion of additional training
* Working hours: 40 hours per week, Monday- Friday, 8-hour shifts on a rotating 3 shift pattern, including nights
* Health & Wellbeing Programme
* Life assurance
* Free on-site parking
* Eye care vouchers
* Annual leave
* Regular training and CPD opportunities
What will I be doing as a Flexographic Printing Apprentice?
Alfaplas are pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to both earn a salary and study towards a nationally recognised qualifications through our Level 3 Polymer Technician Apprenticeship.
As a Flexographic Printer, you will be responsible for operating flexographic printing machines to produce high-quality printed materials according to customer specifications. This role involves setting up the press, mixing inks, adjusting machine settings, and performing quality checks to ensure that products meet required standards. Work alongside lead surveyors/analysts during surveys and inspections
* Press Operation: Set up and operate flexographic printing presses according to job specifications, including mounting plates, loading substrates, and adjusting settings for colour, registration, and print quality.
* Ink Management: Mix, match, and apply inks to achieve desired colours and effects, ensuring consistency and quality throughout the print run.
* Quality Control: Conduct regular inspections during the printing process to detect any defects, inconsistencies, or issues, making adjustments as necessary to maintain high-quality output.
* Machine Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance on printing equipment, including cleaning, lubrication, and replacement of worn parts to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the machines
* Safety Compliance: Follow all safety protocols and guidelines to maintain a safe working environment, including the proper handling of inks, solvents, and other hazardous materials.
* Any other reasonable requests asked by management.
What could the future look like?
There’s no limit to what you can achieve while working with Alfaplas. Their team is at the core of their success, and they’re looking for someone who wants to make a long-term impact. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position with the business upon completing your apprenticeship.
Through practical ‘on-the-job’ training, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a competent Process Industries Manufacturing Technician, focusing on flexographic manufacturing processes. You’ll gain hands-on experience in the production, formulation, and quality control of chemical products, including paints and coatings, ensuring efficient and sustainable operations within the industry.
This apprenticeship provides a solid foundation for career progression, allowing you to take on more specialised technical roles or progress into leadership positions within the printing manufacturing and production sector!
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
What will you bring?
Qualifications
It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!
Experience
Whilst previous experience is great, we’re not just interested in experience and qualifications; we’re looking for someone with the right attitude and aptitude to fit right in at Alfaplas.
About you
This is a very hands on and practical role so you should be willing to get stuck in and learn from the offset!
You’ll enjoy working in a repetitive environment, where attention to detail and focus are the keys to success! You’ll be adaptable, and somebody who copes well with change in a fast-moving environment.
The ability to think on your feet and communicate with all people effectively is crucial due to the environment and nature of the role - you will have good health and safety awareness and be able to work towards strict health and safety guidelines.
We’re seeking somebody who loves to be busy and enjoys the practical side of working. If you currently hold some experience of working with tools and technical equipment, this is the perfect opportunity for you!
A fork-lift licence is desired, but not essential!
To succeed in this apprenticeship, you’ll need bags of enthusiasm, be a fantastic collaborator and be hungry to learn!
Please note, because of the location of this position, you must hold a valid UK Driving License and part of your role will also require occasional heavy lifting.
Even if this doesn’t sound quite like you, but you still think you could do a great job in the role, get in touch. We’re always open to hearing from you!
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Over 24 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Alfaplas who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.
Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.
The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!
Want to know more. Check out the apprenticeship standards here.
Eligibility
While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.
You’ll need to be over 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years, and have the right to work in the UK.
If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.
We're Tiro (pronounced ‘Tea-ro’ as in white, two sugars).
In Latin, it means novice, recruit, apprentice, beginner and soldier. The perfect name for a company that’s been helping fearless apprentices to join ambitious businesses since 2005.
We believe that great apprenticeships help everyone. There are remarkable apprentices out there just waiting to be found, and fantastic employment opportunities waiting to be filled.
Our work will never be just about getting bums on seats and pocketing our commission. In our own small way, we’re helping to change the world – finding people that are working on COVID vaccines, finding new ways for technology to help humanity and helping to tackle the big issues of the day, like climate change. As well as helping people – young and old – to find their way.