Print & Distribution Apprentice
PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES UNION
LONDON (SW11 2LN)
Closes in 8 days (Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 7 May 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking to recruit an apprentice to learn the varied duties of our print and distribution team, whilst studying towards a Level 3 Print Technician qualification.
- Wage
-
£31,512 a year
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
33.75 hours per week (or 38.75 hours including one hour paid lunch break)
Monday to Friday- 6.75 hours per day (or 7.75 hours per day inclusive of lunch)
Flexible working hours by agreement with manager and with a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch.
38 hours 45 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 June 2026
- 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
You will have some experience of office systems/procedures and possess the ability to provide information, respond to queries and draft correspondence including dealing with difficult situations sensitively.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- A methodical and accurate approach to routine tasks
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Good numeracy and budgeting skills
- An ability to produce work within tight deadlines with good time management
You will also have some knowledge and understanding of trade unions and the work of the public sector.
1. Print and distribution
- Learn to operate print and mailing machinery, including digital photocopiers
- Learn to enter data, produce reports, log and track materials using internal and external databases/sources, including mail merges
- Learn to review incoming work for layout and mailing details and deal with any related enquiries and ensure material conforms to PCS guidelines prior to print and distribution
- Learn to use the PCS membership database, for mailing information
- Ensure service delivery and customer care are of the highest standards
- Assist with deliveries and portering duties
- Report faults to the line manager immediately
2. Office Support Work
- Learn to arrange for and distribute newsletters, circulars, materials, etc. utilising any relevant machinery
- Learn to send, receive and deal with correspondence and electronic mail, optimising any postal rates
- Maintain efficient filing systems (shared and individual) – both paper-based and electronic
- Learn to maintain office expenditure, ordering and invoicing, and prepare budget/costings for finance departments and groups in PCS
- Photocopying and faxing
- Liaise with suppliers and external organisations and companies
3. Dealing with Queries, Messages and Correspondence
- Deal with basic queries directly via correspondence, emails, fax and telephone, and give answers where possible
- Ensure work which is time limited is brought to the attention of the line manager
- Deal with difficult callers or situations with tact and sensitivity, and refer as appropriate
Where you'll work
160 FALCON ROAD
LONDON
SW11 2LN
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
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the qualification obtained will be a Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard (press pathway).
The apprentice will be given time to undertake their "off-the-job" requirement of the apprenticeship.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will be supported by both PCS and BPIF Training. You will be assigned an apprenticeship tutor to ensure you have the best training available.
Training requirements will be discussed at the point of employment to suit your individual needs and business needs. Most training and studying will be site-based.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Team working
About this employer
PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.
https://www.pcs.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
There is a generous package of staff benefits including:
- Flexible working
- Childcare & family support
generous - Maternity/paternity leave
32 days leave and Christmas closure - Pension scheme
- Employee assistance programme
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
A successfully qualified Apprentice will be invited to apply for a full time position as a Print & Distribution Assistant.
Learning and Development
The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030305.
Apply now
Closes in 8 days (Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm)