Celebrating Apprenticeships in the Evolving Print Industry.
This week marks the 17th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. At Platinum we recognise the importance of encouraging apprentices to learn about the printing trade and we take great pleasure in witnessing their growth and development under our close mentorship.
Given the decline in skilled print workers, we believe that it is crucial to encourage individuals to join the print industry. Over the years, the industry has undergone significant changes, and there is now a broader selection of job roles to choose from. Roles such as print finishers, large format printers, estimators, sales, marketing, graphic designers, pre-press amongst others.
Advanced technology skills are crucial for the industry, covering digital printing, pre-press, post-press, and software expertise in design, production, and management. These skills are essential for staying abreast of technological shifts and meeting the growing demand for digital printing. Nevertheless, traditional skills like litho printing and finishing continue to be sought after, especially for high-end printing tasks such as packaging, and specialised applications.
Engaging with apprenticeships is pivotal, offering the industry a means to attract and retain skilled workers. By highlighting the benefits of the print industry, showcasing modern technology and equipment, and providing robust training and development opportunities, we can enhance our appeal to skilled workers. This strategy not only helps attract but also retains the skilled workforce necessary for maintaining competitiveness in the market.
Apprenticeships are not limited to school leavers, anyone living in England and not in full-time education can apply regardless of age. There’s no maximum age limit so whether you are 18 or 60 you can become an apprentice.
Every apprentice we take on gets to work alongside our experienced members of staff who share their valuable knowledge. Apprentices also acquire valuable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving which are key transferable skills applicable to any role.
Learning on the job immerses apprentices immediately in their roles, allowing them to acquire industry-specific skills, gain experience by working on live print jobs and develop a first-hand understanding of the print world.
So if you are interested in printing apprenticeship please do not hesitate to send in your CV or call us for a chat to discover what positions might be available.