Pre-Press Operator Apprentice
HARKWELL LABELS LTD
POOLE (BH12 4FE)
Closes in 27 days (Friday 20 June 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 23 May 2025
Contents
Summary
Harkwell are offering an exciting opportunity to join our fast paced Studio department as a Prepress Operator / Artwork Coordinator Apprentice.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Minimum starting salary £15,704 P/A, age dependant, increasing after successful completion of first year of apprenticeship.
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, Day shift. Shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 23 June 2025
- Duration
-
2 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
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
The Studio is a small, close knit team who, between them, handle every piece of artwork that goes through the business. The job role includes:
- Creating and editing artwork
- Ensuring high quality outcomes
- Acting as liaison between customer and print room
and much more!
Applicant must have:
- Great communication skills
- Willingness to learn and experiment
- Close attention to detail
- Aptitude for technology
- Calm and pragmatic, friendly attitude who works well under pressure -
- Works well as part of a team
Desirable:
- Interest in art and design
- Experience with Adobe Illustrator
- Experience in a production environment
Where you'll work
UNIT 2
ASTON WAY
POOLE
BH12 4FE
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 technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Plan and prioritise work
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing.
- Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply team working principles.
- Convert customer files to print-ready files using software and workflow packages.
- Check, process and transmit digital files using software.
- Create and edit digital images.
- Conversion of digital files into colour separations for the defined production method.
- Apply digital techniques to produce a proof.
- Apply colour profiles to the design.
- Apply production techniques to produce plates, screens, or output files.
- Apply pre-press quality assurance procedures.
- Set up and check the multi-unit print press, including speeds, inks and toners and pre-printing quality checks.
- Follow print press start up or warm up procedures.
- Apply print press operations and techniques, including managing colour. Handle variable data on digital presses.
- Follow quality control processes during printing, including checking for colour matching, print resolution, product consistency.
- Apply press equipment and machinery maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.
- Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, hand over procedures. Escalate issues.
- Apply press quality assurance procedures.
- Apply safe systems of work to the printing press process in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidelines. This should include identifying risks and hazards and the handling and disposal of chemicals.
- Set up finishing equipment for example, guillotines, stitching-trimming machinery, binding machinery, laminating equipment, die-cutters.
- Operate finishing equipment to apply different finishing processes, for example, varnishing, folding, embossing and debossing, foil blocking, scoring, packing, gluing, match and attach, tab and slot, sorting, banding.
- Prepare printing for next stage, including packing and wrapping.
- Apply post-press equipment maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.
- Apply post-press quality assurance procedures such as checking for folding accuracy, stitch alignment, foil position.
- Apply safe systems of work to the finishing process in compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines, including the handling and disposal of chemicals.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Plan and prioritise work
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing.
- Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply team working principles.
Your training plan
- Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the qualification obtained will be a Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard
- The apprentice will be given sufficient time to undertake their "off-the-job" requirement of the apprenticeship during their working hours
- Throughout your time as an apprentice, you will be supported by both your employer and BPIF Training to achieve the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship through a structured training plan
- You will be assigned a training coordinator who will work with you throughout your apprenticeship to ensure that you have the best training and support available
- Most training and studying will be a combination of regular site-based visits at the employer's premises and occasional remote delivery
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (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
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Creative
About this company
Harkwell – more than a label company. We’re passionate about creating high-quality packaging that elevates brands. With cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, we partner with our clients to bring their vision to life. From eye-catching designs to specialist finishes, our dedication to detail ensures all products stand out…
After this apprenticeship
- Potential permanent full time role upon successful completion of the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
Lucy Kirkbride
lucy.kirkbride@bpif.org.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000321601.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Friday 20 June 2025 at 11:59pm)
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