Apprentice Press Operator
HEALEYS PRINTERS LTD
IPSWICH (IP1 5AP)
Closes on Friday 20 June 2025
Posted on 16 May 2025
Contents
Summary
An excellent opportunity to join an established and growing print company based in Ipswich, East of England. You will work in our production area, producing high quality prints for our clients.
- Wage
-
£19,500 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£10 per hour.
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 08.45am-5pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 23 June 2025
- Duration
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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
Press technicians conduct one stage of the printing process to produce a range of printed goods. They set up and operate complex print machinery and equipment to produce print products to the client’s order specification and timescales. They use their technical judgement to optimise production, maintain machinery and to resolve production problems and improve performance.
As an apprentice, you will:
- Assist in the daily operation of lithographic and digital print equipment
- Support the team in preparing, running and maintaining print production
- Adhere to all company Health and Safety practices
- Undertake a structured training programme as part of the Level 3 Print Technician apprenticeship curriculum
Where you'll work
UNIT 10-11
THE STERLING COMPLEX
FARTHING ROAD
IPSWICH
IP1 5AP
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, you will obtain a Level 3 Print Technician qualification. The typical training duration is 30-months.
Training for both the apprenticeship and the relevant skills to succeed in the role will take place at the workplace and off-site as required.
You will be assigned a dedicated BPIF Training Coordinator who will work with you on a 1-1 basis during your apprenticeship to ensure you receive tailored support.
As an apprentice, you will be given full training to carry out your role under the supervision of a supportive team, and will be given regular time during your working hours to work on the apprenticeship requirements.
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 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Positive Attitude
About this company
Healeys Printers product a wide range of high quality lithographic and digital prints for clients throughout the UK. We are known for our care and attention, along with exceptional customer service.
After this apprenticeship
Initial progression will be to a fully qualified print technician able to join the production team.
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 VAC1000319220.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 20 June 2025
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