Apprentice Tape Printer

Summary

Excellent opportunity working for one of the UK's leading tape and label printers.

Wage

£18,200 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Print operative (level 2)

Hours

Mon - Thurs 0700 - 1615, Fri 0700 - 1200.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 18 August 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

You will become part of a team of 10 flexographic printers delivering high-quality prints to over a thousand customers nationwide. Set up printing plates for a narrow web, common impression tape press. Print and convert a number of self-adhesive substrates into rolls of tape for industry

Where you'll work

Windmill Tapes Ltd
Unit C Mackenzie Industrial Estate
Bird Hall Lane
Stockport
SK3 0SB

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

This role is offered as part of an apprenticeship programme. Full training and support will be provided to help you develop the skills needed to perform your role effectively. Upon successful completion, you will gain a nationally recognised qualification: Level 2 Print Operative. All training will be delivered in the workplace - there is no need to travel to the training provider (BPIF Training). Training and studying will be carried out via a combination of on-site visits and remote sessions via Teams/Zoom with your dedicated BPIF Training Coordinator, who will work with you one-to-one throughout your learning journey.

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

Attention to detail
Logical
Organisation skills
Physical fitness
Problem solving skills
Team working

Other requirements

Employer operate a productivity bonus scheme based on output as well as a Performance Related Pay (PRP) scheme.

About this company

Established in 1980 Windmill has grown year on year to become a leading manufacturer of digital labels, printed and plain labels, and printed tape.

After this apprenticeship

The apprentice would be offered a permanent tape printing roll after a successful 12 months.

Ask a question

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