Print Finishing Apprentice

Summary

An exciting opportunity to join a well established print company who have been operating for over 90 years. Whittington Moor specialise in producing high quality bespoke print, distribution, storage and mailing services. As an apprentice Print Finisher you will develop your knowledge and skills within a team of highly motivated print specialists.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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The apprentice will have the opportunity to earn more via overtime, they will receive 26 days paid holiday a year and there is an annual company bonus linked to business performance.

Training course

Print operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday. Afternoon shift 1.30pm to 9.00pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

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 apprentice will learn the full operation of our print finishing department covering cutting, creasing, folding, stitching, wiro binding & perfect binding.

The role will be coached and mentored by our afternoon shift finishing supervisor, who has a wealth of experience and will help the apprentice develop and learn.

Typical duties and responsibilities will include:

Reading and understanding jobs to decide what needs to be finished on them
Locating the jobs and moving to the correct machine
Learning how to set and run the machines
Packing jobs and presenting them in the best way for customers

Where you'll work

STONEGRAVELS LANE
CHESTERFIELD
S41 7LF

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)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will achieve a Level 2 Print Operative apprenticeship standard.

You will be supported by both your employer, Whittington Moor Printing Works, and training provider, BPIF Training during your time as an apprentice. You will follow a structured training plan and will be provided one day a week dedicated to working towards your qualification.

Training will take place at the workplace, with regular visits from your BPIF Training Coordinator along with occasional online sessions. You will work one-to-one with your Training Coordinator throughout your learning journey to ensure you receive tailored support and guidance.

You will have access to the company meeting room throughout your apprenticeship where you will have dedicated space to study.

More training information

We are the largest supplier of apprenticeships to the printing industry. We support the UK’s most innovative, dynamic and creative companies who are setting the standard for what is possible in print production. We do so through deep knowledge, passion and collaboration.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 5)
Maths (grade 5)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Physical fitness

About this company

Whittington Moor Print Works Group who have been operating for over 90 years, our company ethos is to deliver quality products, supported by the highest level of customer service and innovation. Whittington Moor manufacture 24 hours a day and specialise in producing high quality bespoke print, distribution, storage and mailing services. The lifeblood of every company is it's people. At Whittington Moor we employ highly motivated print specialists with a committed mindset of looking after our clients, add this to our state of the art printing and finishing equipment and a fully trained team of print and finishing operatives, we know that we can make print buying an easy and enjoyable process.

https://www.wmpw.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

This apprentice will have opportunity to develop into any of the roles in our finishing department in the short term and ultimately progress further within the business. We currently have former apprentices working in supervisor roles, management roles and even in web design roles now.

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 VAC1000330108.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 31 August 2025

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