Course Overview

You need to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. Please visit our vacancy page or if you have an employer, please ensure you add full contact details of your employer within your application. If you are unable to secure employment, you could enrol on a full-time study programme and transfer to an Apprenticeship at a later date. Please apply for a full-time course as your second option.

This Apprenticeship is for those who are interested in producing a range of printed goods. You will become efficient and able to safely operate print machinery and equipment to produce print products according to the order specification and make sure it is produced on time. You will learn the different types of print materials and technologies to ensure that standards, including colour matching, print resolution, customer specification and individual company standards are met.

You will gain an understanding of the following:

• The printing and graphic communication industry and its markets.
• How the organisations in the printing industry work, including their culture, values, processes and how you fit in.
• Technical knowledge and print industry practices, processes & the materials used to carry out the occupation effectively, eg. practices can include maintenance and continuous improvement; processes include printing, quality assurance and colour management; materials include mainly paper and board, but also plastic, metal and other materials.
• Pre-press, press and post-press processes and equipment and the commercial impact of their role eg. ensuring that printed material is presented to post-press in perfect condition.
• Customers’ expectations in terms of order specification and timescales.
• Quality expectations and how they are managed.
• The print and graphic communications industry health, safety and environmental requirements and laws, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• How best to solve problems and implement practical solutions in a timely manner.

You will also become competent in the following:

• Efficiently operate print machinery and equipment according to the order specification and timescale eg. print a colour magazine onto paper within two hours to meet the production schedule; fold a leaflet to specification and timeframe.
• Follow a structured approach and methodology to identify areas for improvement, proposing and implementing solutions.
• Carry out work to required quality standards, targets and deadlines. Standards include colour matching, print resolution and matching customer specification and individual company standards.
• Keep accurate records using both digital and manual processes as required.
• Comply with health, safety and environmental requirements at all times. This includes the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (eg. produce risk assessments and safely handle hazardous materials).
• Communicate and work effectively with others, including giving clear instructions to colleagues.
• Implement practical solutions in a timely manner.
• Ability to supervise and instruct print operatives, and take the lead as required.

You will also specialise in one of the following areas:

• Pre-press
• Press
• Post-press

You will be appointed an Assessor who will visit you in the workplace and assess your progress. Some of these visits will provide you with evidence that you can use towards our qualification. One day a week you will work on your college course work (with support from your Assessor) gaining the underpinning knowledge required.

You can start this apprenticeship at any time of year.

Assessment Methods

You will be assessed by practical observations with questioning, assignments, portfolio (presenting examples from your job role) and discussions.

At the end of the course you will undertake an End Point Assessment by an external organisation which comprises of a practical observation with questioning, knowledge test, and professional discussion supported by portfolio. Your Assessor will obtain evidence that you meet the required standards throughout your training and are prepared for the assessment.

Functional Skills in maths and English are required at Level 2 (exemption may apply).

Progression Options

On successful completion you could find full-time employment or apply to university.