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