Digital Print Operator Apprentice
FOSTER + PARTNERS LIMITED
London (SW11 4AN)
Closes in 20 days (Thursday 4 June 2026)
Posted on 14 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Support the day‑to‑day production of printed materials within the Printroom at Foster + Partners.
- Wage
-
£30,784 a year
- Training course
- Print operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- 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
- Assist in operating digital print equipment (e.g., Canon, Ricoh, HP or equivalent)
- Learn to run print jobs including proofing, adjusting settings, and ensuring consistent output quality
- Learn to use finishing equipment such as guillotines, wiro and glue binders, laminators, sleeking processes on the laminator, creasers and foiling presses
- Collate, glue and finish hardback and softback books
- Assist in the creation of material-wrapped presentation boxes including magnetic flip top, clamshell, shoebox and slip case designs
- Cut down presentation boards and various other printed materials on a digital cutting table
- Ensure all finished products meet internal quality standards
- Understand the automated workflows in place at Fosters
- Support colleagues and internal clients by understanding their printing needs
- Follow all health and safety procedures and equipment guidelines
Where you'll work
Riverside Three
Albert Wharf
22 Hester Road
London
SW11 4AN
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 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
Training schedule
Work-based apprenticeships do not require attendance at college
on a day-release basis. A dedicated training coordinator provides support to both employers and apprentices throughout their learning
journey, ensuring personalised assistance for various learner
requirements and guaranteeing the development of skills crucial
for your business.
More training information
Continuous access to progress updates via online portfolios is available for both employers and apprentices. A Virtual Learning Environment and Online Classrooms offer access to learning resources.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 1)
- Maths (grade 1)
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
- Team working
- Non judgemental
About this employer
We believe in the power of design to enhance everyday life. Through a culture of purposeful curiosity, our work defines the way tomorrow’s built environments look, feel and function. Founded in 1967 by Norman Foster, what began as a small team is now a global practice with an outstanding design legacy, creating innovative and thoughtful solutions that shape skylines and landscapes around the world.
Whether designing an entire city or a bespoke door handle, we approach every project with ambition and dedicated creativity - and we seek exceptional people to enrich our practice. If you enjoy solving complex challenges and creating industry-defining designs and solutions, we invite you to join our team.
The practice is committed to supporting diversity and inclusivity and strives to create a working environment that is responsive to different cultures. We value the contributions of our diverse and creative team and are proud to offer equal opportunities for all.
After this apprenticeship
The UK print industry offers exciting career opportunities through apprenticeships, designed to develop both entry-level and advanced technical skills. The Level 2 Print Operative Apprenticeship provides an entry route into the print industry. There are a wide range of roles in the industry, each with its own set of responsibilities and skills, including Production, Prepress, 3D Printing and Graphic Design.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FOSTER + PARTNERS LIMITED
Susi Cardew
scardew@fosterandpartners.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031664.
Apply now
Closes in 20 days (Thursday 4 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.