Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship

Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship
Salary: £18,900
Location: UKRI Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon
Hours: 37 hours p/week, Monday to Friday
Contract type: Fixed Term, 36 months (3 years)
Closing date: 9th February 2025
Interview date(s): w/c 17th March 2025
Start date: TBC – from April

Apprenticeship Role Summary

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Creative Services team provides creative, design and production services to the whole of UKRI. We aim to deliver an outstanding standard of creative design, pre-press and print production services across print as well as a range of complementary services.

We are seeking two Print Technician Apprentices who will be trained in all aspects of our workflow from client services, pre-press and print production to deliver high quality products utilising the latest software, technology and equipment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who embraces development of services and offerings to clients, adding value at all stages. You will be joining a team consisting of former Print Technician Apprentices who, alongside other colleagues, will guide, mentor and support you in your professional development.

UKRI’s Creative Services Team are passionate about what we do and believe in fostering innovation. We believe in developing people and ideas to their full potential.

About the role and a summary of the key duties and responsibilities

You will be expected to work in all areas of UKRI Creative Services ensuring that all clients are consistently satisfied with the quality of service being delivered. You must have excellent commitment to providing a high-quality service and the ability to support multiple projects using a variety of software and equipment simultaneously.

Typical responsibilities will include:

1. Pre-Press:
   • Client Services – First point of contact
   • Use of Management Information System
   • Pre-flighting and checking files
   • Use of our web to print software
   • Automation of templates and workflows
2. Digital Print/Finishing:
   • Produce high quality print and finishing services
   • Offer advice to colleagues and clients
   • Implement agreed corporate branding requirements
   • Maintain equipment to a high standard
   • Ensure that production methods are aligned to client expectations and delivered to the highest standard
3. Communications:
   • Liaise with colleagues in Creative Services and wider teams on all aspects of digital print
   • Provide technical advice and solutions
   • Liaise with Head of Creative Services in relation to scheduling
   • Escalate client issues as necessary

Over time, you will use your experience and knowledge to continuously review processes and practices, with a view to enhance products, improve efficiency and overall workflow throughout the production area.

This apprenticeship will provide the successful candidate with the tools, knowledge and experience that is needed to begin a career as a competent Print Technician.

What you will learn

You will undertake professional development and training as part of a cohort of apprentices with the British Printing Industries Federation completing the Level 3 Print Technician apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship is delivered over 30 months and covers essential core competencies required within the print industry as well as specialist knowledge, skills and behaviours in 1 of 3 optional pathways:

1. Pre-press print technician
2. Press print technician
3. Post-press print technician

You will specialise in one of the optional pathways towards the final 6 months of your apprenticeship. Throughout the apprenticeship you will build a portfolio of work, demonstrating your application of effective print technician duties.

Towards the end of the programme you will be supported to prepare you for your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will assess the development of your Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours within the Print Technician Apprenticeship and will consist of an observation of your work, an interview underpinned by your portfolio of evidence and a multiple choice test.

Person Specification - Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and any special requirements

We are looking for the following:

Essential:

• Achieved 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail
• A desire to provide the best customer service
• An enthusiastic interest in digital and wide format print/finishing
• Competent in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Planning skills, including an ability to prioritise and manage complex activities in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to work as part of a team
• An ability to influence and persuade others with best advice
• A demonstrable ability to embrace change, learning new skills and the use of Print Production equipment

Desirable:

• Knowledge of industry-related software such as: Digital Storefront, Creative Cloud Suite including Adobe Acrobat, and Illustrator
• Experience working in a customer facing role

Important Information

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, therefore we strongly encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to provide evidence of Maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent qualifications).

The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process.

We will be in touch after the closing date however please email UKRIapprenticeships@ukri.org quoting the vacancy title and reference number if you have any questions.

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.