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. We are commercially minded and accountable for our performance and reporting. Our vision is to become the best in-house creative, design and production department in the UK.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the largest public sector funder of research and innovation with an annual budget of over £8bn and includes 7 research councils. You can find out more about UKRI via: https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/about-uk-research-and-innovation/our-organisation/
About an Apprenticeship at UKRI With training and support from experts in their fields, you'll relish the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working for an organisation that is responsible for world-leading research isn't enough, you will be able to develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won't find anywhere else.
We will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have - and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion, with access to a dedicated UKRI Early Careers Network. UKRI offers the following:
A benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours and an exceptional pension scheme
• You'll get the chance to work on innovative projects with international collaborators
• Cycle-2-work scheme
• Discount vouchers for high street stores and attractions
• A full list of our benefits can be found here: https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/
About the role and a summary of the key duties and responsibilities You will be expected to work in all areas of [JA1] 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: 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
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
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 Key - (S) will be measured at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both.
We are looking for the following:
Essential:
• Achieved 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English (S)
• Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail as demonstrated within your CV and Covering Letter (S&I)
• A desire to provide the best customer service (I)
• An enthusiastic interest in digital and wide format print/finishing (S&I)
• Competent in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) (S&I)
• Planning skills, including an ability to prioritise and manage complex activities in order to meet deadlines (S&I)
• Ability to work as part of a team (S&I)
• An ability to influence and persuade others with best advice (I)
• A demonstrable ability to embrace change, learning new skills and the use of Print Production equipment (I)
Desirable:
• Knowledge of industry-related software such as: Digital Storefront, Creative Cloud Suite including Adobe Acrobat, and Illustrator (S&I)
• Experience working in a customer facing role (S)
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)
When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met. To check your eligibility please click here
The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a Level 3 or higher qualification in the same subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for these details to be shared with the relevant training provider.
We will be in touch after the closing date however please email
[email protected] 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).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
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. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UKRI.
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. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .
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. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Additional Information
- Organisation: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
- External Closing Date: Feb 9, 2025
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 18,900
- Hours: Full-time
