13 April 2017

Apprenticeship scheme success at Warwick Print

Warwick Print, situated within Warwick University, with the help of the BPIF took on Matt as part of the apprenticeship scheme. Undertaking a Digital Print Level 3, Matt has thrived and has now been offered a full time permanent Team Leader role within the business. Warwick Print and Matt kindly took time out from their busy schedules to answer some questions about the BPIF apprenticeship scheme.

Questions for Matt:

1.Were you interested in print before you started your apprenticeship?

Before beginning my apprenticeship, I had received an offer for a place on a graphic design course at UAL Camberwell, but I couldn't afford the cost of going to university. I began to look for an alternative route into design and printing.

2.What made you decide to undertake an apprenticeship?

I decided to go through the apprenticeship scheme as a path to gain recognised qualifications and experience. I had found it difficult to get into gainful employment with just GCSE's and A-Levels; deciding it would be worthwhile to go back into education.

3.What have you enjoyed about the experience so far?

I have enjoyed the day to day opportunities to problem solve, and gaining confidence in producing work without supervision; progressing to be trusted to produce higher value work for valued clients. I have also enjoyed learning to understand the processes involved in producing printed products in finer detail.

4.Do you feel you have benefitted from undertaking your apprenticeship?

I believe my apprenticeship has put me in a stronger position as an employee, and helped my personal development within the print industry leading to full time employment within Warwick Print, and giving me a solid foundation to build upon into further education.

5.What do you think you've learnt? E.g. of the industry, about yourself etc.

Through my apprenticeship and via the experience gained working at Warwick Print I have had exposure to most aspects of cut-sheet digital printing from producing books to exhibition stands. I have personally developed an understanding of working within a production environment to where I am now able to manage the production team as team leader.

6.Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?

I think an apprenticeship is a valuable route into gainful employment for those who prefer a more vocational approach to learning.

(left to right: Craig Smith - Production Manager, Matt Heywood - Production Team Leader,  Jo-Ann Withers - Commercial Manager)

Questions for Warwick Print:

1.Have you had apprentices before?

Not in recent years, we decided to take on three apprentices in 2015.
We advertised for a print, marketing and design apprentice via the national apprenticeship scheme. We decided to use the BPIF as our print and design training provider as they had the best courses to fit our needs, are experts in the field and we already have a good working relationship.

2.Do you think the apprenticeship programme is worthwhile?

Most definitely!

Our marketing apprentices secured a full time role within the University after one year's employment with us. Matt our print apprentice also secured a full time role after one year and has recently been successful in securing the position of production team leader. We have been delighted with Matt's aptitude and attitude to work hence his speedy progression.

3.How has the company benefitted from having apprentices?

We have benefitted greatly from employing apprentices, they have each added a new dimension to Warwick Print and contributed massively to the continued success of the business. Their enthusiasm and dedication has been a breath of fresh air and has helped to lift the morale of some of our longer standing members of staff. They are constantly bringing new ideas to the table and have become valued members of the team.

4.Would you recommend the apprenticeship scheme to other print companies?

I would certainly recommend the apprenticeship scheme to other print companies. I would recommend that they sit down and work out a cohesive job description and look at what duties and responsibilities the apprentice will be doing beforehand. The apprentice needs clear guidance and objectives to work to and also a dedicated work place mentor.

One of the biggest wins we had from employing a print apprentice was that they were able to shadow our traditional book binder and has successfully learnt the art of bindery. This is something the other members of the team had been unable to do due to time constraints. We used to have to put a hold on the service when our binder was annual leave but now we are able to offer the service all year round which we are delighted with.

The scheme has been highly successful for us and is something we will be continuing to run. The University as a whole is employing more apprentices and has set up an apprentice network to encourage the apprentices to get to know each other.
The BPIF are the largest supplier of apprenticeships to the printing industry with a wide variety of courses available such as Leadership & Management to Production to Warehousing and much more. If you're interested in an apprenticeship or taking on an apprentice click here.