Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship combines paid work with structured training, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. It runs from 12 months to four years depending on the level. You can put existing staff through an apprenticeship or recruit someone new.
If you pay the apprenticeship levy, the cost comes from your levy account.
If you don’t, training is either fully funded or co-funded depending on the apprentice’s age. We handle the training, assessment and paperwork.
Print and manufacturing apprenticeships
Technical apprenticeships for the shop floor, from entry level through to team leadership. Level 2 to Level 4, built on our decades in print manufacturing.
These standards suit new recruits starting out and existing staff moving into technical or supervisory roles.
Progression runs from Level 2 entry roles through to Level 4 team leadership, so staff can move up without leaving the shop floor.
Print Operative
The entry route into print. Apprentices learn to assist in producing a printed product or component, building the foundation for a technical career on the shop floor.
Who it’s for
New starters with no prior print experience, and existing staff who need a formal qualification covering the fundamentals.
What’s covered
- The printing and graphic communication industry
- Culture, values and processes in a print environment
- Pre-press, press and post-press processes and equipment
- Customer expectation, resolving problems and ensuring quality
- Health, safety and environmental requirements
How it works
Delivered over 24 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Print Technician
For people running presses and finishing equipment who need to control output and quality. Covers the full production process from pre-press through press to post-press finishing.
Who it’s for
Apprentices moving into technical roles with responsibility for output and quality, and existing operators formalising skills they already use. Suits progression from Print Operative or direct entry with some experience.
What’s covered
- The printing and graphic communication industry
- Technical knowledge and print industry practices
- Pre-press, press and post-press processes and equipment
- Designing and producing creative artwork
- Maintaining digital systems
- Controlling output and quality
- Customer expectation, resolving problems and ensuring quality
- Health, safety and environmental requirements
How it works
Delivered over 36 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Lean Operative
Covers the breadth of manufacturing operative roles: production, assembly, inspection and quality assurance, logistics, material handling and finishing. The shortest programme we deliver.
Who it’s for
Operatives across any part of the production process, and new starters who need a grounding in manufacturing practice. Its breadth makes it useful where staff move between production areas rather than sitting in one role.
What’s covered
- Production, assembly and finishing processes
- Inspection and quality assurance
- Logistics and material handling
- Statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements
- Health and safety regulations
- Continuous improvement and waste reduction
How it works
Delivered over 12 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Signage Technician
Design, manufacture, fabrication and installation of signage across a wide range of materials and formats, illuminated and non-illuminated.
Who it’s for
Staff in sign-making and wide-format businesses covering the full process from design through to on-site installation. Suits new recruits and existing staff who work across fabrication and fitting.
What’s covered
- Working with wood, vinyl, plastics, metal, glass, textiles and card
- Design and artwork preparation for signage
- Manufacture and fabrication techniques
- Vehicle signage including wraps
- Freestanding signs and displays, including pavement signs and exhibition stands
- Post-mounted and road signage
- Illuminated signage
- On-site installation, health and safety
How it works
Delivered over 24 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Process Leader
For people leading production teams who also provide technical direction. Apprentices learn to manage resources, keep a department running efficiently, and lead teams of any size.
Who it’s for
Supervisors and shift leaders responsible for a production area, and technical staff moving into leadership. The step up from Print Technician or Lean Manufacturing Operative for anyone taking on responsibility for other people.
What’s covered
- Leading and managing teams of all sizes
- Managing resources to ensure efficient departmental running
- Providing technical and specialist input and direction
- Production planning and performance
- Continuous improvement
- Health, safety and compliance responsibilities
How it works
Delivered over 24 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheetBusiness skills apprenticeships
Management, administration, customer service and supply chain, from Level 2 to Level 7. Delivered alongside your existing operation.
These standards suit anyone from a first-time team leader to a director shaping company strategy.
Some management standards are now employer-funded rather than government-funded. We’ll confirm costs when you enquire.
Customer Service
For staff in customer-facing roles, at Level 2 for those starting out and Level 3 for people handling complex or escalated enquiries. 12 to 15 months.
Customer Service Practitioner
For new starters in customer-facing roles and existing staff who handle enquiries without formal training behind them. Covers understanding your customers, handling enquiries, orders and complaints, communication across phone, email and face to face, and working within service standards.
Customer Service Specialist
For staff moving into a specialist or escalation role. Covers acting as the referral point for complex and technical requests, root cause analysis, service recovery, and using customer insight to improve how the business performs.
How it works
Both are delivered in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Business Administrator
Administrative and organisational skills that transfer across any function. Suits people supporting a department or working across several.
Who it’s for
Administrators, coordinators and office staff who want a formal qualification covering the breadth of what they already do. Also a good route for a new starter who will be supporting more than one part of the business.
What’s covered
- Organising and prioritising work across competing demands
- Record keeping, systems and document management
- Written and verbal communication with internal and external contacts
- Supporting projects and coordinating meetings
- Problem solving and process improvement
- Understanding how the business and its stakeholders work
How it works
Delivered over 18 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Supply Chain Practitioner
Covers forecasting demand, production planning and order processing. Suits people working between factory scheduling and the customer.
Who it’s for
Staff in demand planning, supply planning, scheduling or customer service roles that sit between the factory and the customer. Suits people already coordinating orders and production who need a formal qualification, and those stepping up into planning responsibility.
What’s covered
- Forecasting customer demand
- Liaising with the factory to schedule production
- Processing orders and managing the order pipeline
- Stock, materials and supplier coordination
- Using data to plan and resolve supply issues
- Understanding cost, lead time and the trade-offs between them
Roles it maps to
Junior Demand Planner, Junior Supply Planner, Customer Service Operative and similar scheduling and planning roles.
How it works
Delivered over 18 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Download info sheet
Team Leader
Employer-funded. First-line management for people newly responsible for a team or a project, and supervisors who have never had formal leadership training.
Who it’s for
Staff stepping into their first management role, and experienced supervisors who have never had formal leadership training. Suits people responsible for a small team or a defined project.
What’s covered
- Giving clear direction and delegating effectively
- Managing performance and having difficult conversations
- Planning and delivering against defined outcomes
- Building and leading a team
- Understanding your own leadership style
Funding
This standard has been withdrawn from government funding. It remains available at employer cost — get in touch and we’ll confirm pricing.
How it works
Delivered over 15 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Contact Us
Operations Manager
Employer-funded. For managers accountable for teams, projects and departmental performance, delivering operational goals within wider business strategy.
Who it’s for
Managers responsible for a department or a significant operational area, accountable for delivery against business objectives. The step up from Team Leader or Process Leader.
What’s covered
- Leading teams and managing multiple projects
- Delivering operational goals within business strategy
- Financial and resource management
- Change management and process improvement
- Developing and coaching your own managers
Funding
This standard has been withdrawn from government funding. It remains available at employer cost — get in touch and we’ll confirm pricing.
How it works
Delivered over 24 months in the workplace, with tutor visits and off-the-job training built into the working week. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Contact Us
Senior Leader
Employer-funded. Our highest level, for directors and senior managers shaping strategy. Master's-level study applied directly to the business you're running.
Who it’s for
Directors, senior managers and business owners with responsibility for strategy and organisational performance. Master’s-level study applied directly to the business you’re running.
What’s covered
- Setting and delivering organisational strategy
- Leading through other leaders
- Financial and commercial decision-making at board level
- Governance, risk and stakeholder management
- Personal leadership and executive presence
Funding
This standard has been withdrawn from government funding. It remains available at employer cost — get in touch and we’ll confirm pricing.
How it works
Delivered over 24 months alongside the day job, with tutor support and off-the-job study. Apprentices progress to end-point assessment on completion.
Contact Us