Apprentice Post-Press Operative - Printing & Embroidery

SCHOOL TIME LTD

KENT (ME4 4EE)

Closes on Friday 19 June 2026

Posted on 15 May 2026

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Summary

This is an excellent and exciting opportunity to work in an established business with 30+ years producing and selling printed and embroidered workwear, customised items, school uniform and corporate wear.

You will also be working in a busy customer service department.

Wage

£12,480 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Print operative (level 2)
Hours
The days of work are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The hours are 9am-5pm with 1/2 an hour lunch.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 22 June 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

  • You will be learning to use Coral draw,a digital printer and a vinyl cutter
  • You will  be producing prints and digitizing embroidery fonts and logos to go onto customers' garments
  • Then you will be applying the designs to customers' garments. Also talking to customers regarding their orders and emailing customers or talking on the phone

Where you'll work

87-89 RAILWAY STREET
CHATHAM
KENT
ME4 4EE

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

  • You will be working to achieve a level 2 print operative
  • The training will be at our shop in Chatham ME4 4EE
  • You will be working 30 hours a week with a team's meeting or a Trainer on site every 6 weeks

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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this employer

Established over 30 years ago to meet a local demand for accessible, high-quality school uniforms, the business has grown from a small venture into a well-established full-time operation with dedicated retail and in-house production facilities. Through continued investment in embroidery, printing, and customisation technology, the company now operates seven embroidery machines, two printers, a vinyl cutter, and a heat press, enabling the delivery of high-quality bespoke products and services across a wide range of applications.

http://www.schooltime.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Once qualified there may be an opportunity to stay with us and become a member of our staff full time.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

Yasmin Brotherson

yasmin.brotherson@bpif.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031888.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 19 June 2026