Foilblocking & Embossing Machine Operator Apprentice
Blockfoil Manchester Limited
MANCHESTER (M24 1SW)
Closes in 30 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 1 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Blockfoil are a leading UK specialist in hot foiling and embossing. We have been at the forefront of the foil blocking industry since 1981. We work with print and packaging companies to provide decorative finishes for major brands across the world.
This is an excellent opportunity to get one-to-one training from experienced operators.
- Wage
-
£19,240 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The wage rate will be reviewed in the 2nd year, this will depend on the skill level the operator achieves in the first 12 months of training.
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
5 days, Monday – Friday (alternate shifts) 6am – 2pm or 10am – 6pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 10 August 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 6 months
- 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
Your training will be on a one-to-one basis, you will be mentored by an experienced member of staff, who will guide you in every aspect of your role.
No experience is needed, but we are seeking an individual with a strong can-do attitude, self-motivation and the ability to work as part of a team.
You will need to be an enthusiastic and committed individual who has an excellent attention to detail and has good problem-solving skills.
You will learn to set up and run an array of different machines, guided by experienced staff members. Initially, you will concentrate your time learning and perfecting your skills on a Bobst 126, which is the largest format hot foil machine in the UK.
The job role will include the following:
1. Preparing the machine for production
2. Running the press.
3. Maintaining quality standards
4. Completing maintenance tasks on the machine.
5. Completing paperwork.
6. Understanding Health & Safety.
Training tasks will be assigned each day. These tasks will give you an in-depth knowledge of how to prepare, run and manage each order.
Where you'll work
CHADDERTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
GREENSIDE WAY
MIDDLETON
MANCHESTER
M24 1SW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
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.
Training schedule
Your training will be both practical and theory-based.
You will be studying for a Level 3 Print Technician qualification.
The training will last for 30 months and will cover all aspects needed to become a fully qualified machine operator.
Training for the practical and theory elements will take place on site at your place of work.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 5)
- Maths (grade 5)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Reliability & Punctuality
- Enthusiastic
- Adaptability
Other requirements
Overtime will be required. There will also be a need to work over the weekend when the demand from our customers is high.
The job role does include some heavy lifting, moving pallets and other materials.
The job is manual, and you will spend a large amount of time standing.
About this employer
Blockfoil Manchester Limited are a market leader in foil printing and embossing.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
After training is completed, the goal would be to establish yourself as a machine operator, to continue to develop the knowledge you have gained while training and learn all the different machines within the factory.
Once you have a strong understanding of the processes and machinery, there is a potential to progress into a team leader position.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040252.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)