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Apprentice Lithographic / Flexographic Printer
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Watershed Packaging is a family-run business with 33 years of experience in the print and packaging industry. We're looking for a Flexo/Litho Print Apprentice to join our team in Leeds.
You don't need any previous print experience, just the right approach and a desire to develop new skills.
As part of your apprenticeship, you'll gain experience across all areas of both Flexo and Litho printing.
Your main area of focus will be learning to operate our printing presses. We have a number of 8-10 colour Flexographic presses and a 10 colour Lithographic press, and you'll receive hands-on training from our experienced operators to develop the skills needed to become a printer.
You'll also learn:
- How Flexographic and Lithographic printing processes work
- How to set up and run printing presses safely and efficiently
- The manufacture and mounting of printing plates
- Ink technologies and colour management
- Colour matching and quality control techniques
- Basic machine maintenance and troubleshooting
- Health, safety and manufacturing best practices
This is an opportunity to develop a broad range of specialist skills and gain a full understanding of the print production process, from preparing plates and inks through to producing high-quality finished packaging for our customers.
Apprenticeship details:
- Wage: £16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age (National Minimum Wage)
- Training course: Print technician (level 3)
- Hours: Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm (40 hours a week)
- Start date: Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration: 2 years 6 months
- Positions available: 1
Training provider: BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
Course contents include:
- Applying environmental and sustainability procedures, health and safety, manual handling, planning and prioritising work, recording information, applying continuous improvement techniques, following equality, diversity and inclusion procedures, communication (verbal and written), problem-solving, using information and digital technology, identifying and organising resources, applying team working principles, converting customer files to print-ready files, checking and processing digital files, creating and editing digital images, converting digital files into colour separations, applying digital techniques to produce a proof, applying colour profiles, applying production techniques to produce plates/screens/output files, applying pre-press quality assurance procedures, setting up and checking multi-unit print presses, following print press start-up procedures, applying print press operations and techniques, following quality control processes during printing, applying press equipment and machinery maintenance techniques, following machine shut down procedures, applying press quality assurance procedures, applying safe systems of work to the printing press process, setting up finishing equipment, operating finishing equipment, preparing printing for next stage, applying post-press equipment maintenance techniques, applying post-press quality assurance procedures, and applying safe systems of work to the finishing process.
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Training schedule also includes:
- Health & Safety, Environmental and Sustainability
- Print Industry & its markets
- Communication & Professionalism
- Problem Solving
- Waste Monitoring
- Workflow
- Record Keeping
Upon successful completion, you'll achieve a Level 3 Print Technician qualification and be signed off as a fully qualified printer. You'll have developed a highly sought-after skill set and the foundations for a long-term career within the print and packaging industry.
Desirable qualifications:
- GCSE in English (grade 4)
- GCSE in Maths (grade 4)
Skills:
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical thinking
- Team working
- Initiative
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Strong work ethic
- Interest in printing
- Enjoys practical hands on work
Other requirements:
We're looking for someone with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and an interest in how things are made. You don't need any previous print experience, just the right approach and a desire to develop new skills.
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This apprenticeship will give you hands-on experience working with modern printing equipment, producing packaging for a wide range of customers and well-known brands. You'll work alongside experienced printers who will support you throughout your training and help you build a career in a skilled and rewarding industry.
Watershed Packaging is a family-run print and packaging business with over 33 years of experience in the industry. The business remains family-owned, with members of the founding family continuing to hold key positions within the company today.
Whilst we have grown significantly over the years, the family values and close-knit culture remain at the heart of the business. We pride ourselves on creating a supportive working environment where people are encouraged to learn, develop and build long-term careers.
Operating across two sites, with our headquarters based in Leeds, we manufacture a diverse range of products including shrink sleeves, die-cut lids, sachets, flexible packaging and labels for customers across a wide range of industries.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Many of our skilled printers and production team members have developed successful careers by gaining experience, learning new skills and progressing within the business.
The skills and knowledge gained through this apprenticeship provide an excellent foundation for future career development. Previous printers have gone on to work across a variety of print disciplines, including Digital, Wide Web and Central Impression Flexographic printing, whilst others have progressed into supervisory and management roles.
A qualification in print opens the door to a wide range of opportunities within the packaging and manufacturing industries, making it an excellent long-term career choice.
Contact for this apprenticeship is: BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
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