Summary
Master print at 60-year-old Stramongate in Kendal. Learn lithographic and digital techniques on Heidelberg & Ricoh presses. Earn BPIF Level 2 qualification, with Level 3 option. Join our friendly team for a 2-year apprenticeship with permanent career potential. Shape the future of print – apply now!
Wage
£14,722.50 to £23,809.50 a year
The apprenticeship wage structure will be reviewed based on the completion of agreed goals and annual increases.
Training course
Print operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Possible start date
Tuesday 1 July
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
* Set up and operate printing presses
* Load paper and ink into machines
* Monitor print quality and make adjustments as needed
* Clean and maintain printing equipment
* Assist with pre-press activities (e.g., preparing digital files)
* Perform basic troubleshooting on printing machines
* Mix inks to achieve desired colours
* Handle and store printing materials properly
* Assist with post-press tasks like cutting, folding, and binding
* Learn and apply safety procedures
* Record job specifications and maintain production logs
* Collaborate with team members on various printing projects
* Assist with quality control checks
* Ink mixing and Pantone colour matching.
* Learn about different paper types and their properties
* Help with inventory management of supplies
Where you’ll work
AYNAM MILLS
LITTLE AYNAM
KENDAL
LA9 7AH
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
Print Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:
* We may send you on external training courses or factory visits
* Training will take place through desk-based training
* Training will take place through on the job or shadowing of experienced printing technicians
* Training will be designed around you and your role to help you achieve your full potential
More training information
* The training course will help you achieve the basics of lithography and digital printing for which to excel in a career in print
Requirements
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
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Presentation skills
* Administrative skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
Other requirements
The role will require daily lifting and physical activity. The ability to drive or pursue a driving license is also an advantage.