Josh Wetherfield – Incontrast
Name: Josh Wetherfield
Apprenticeship programme: Level 2 Print Operative
Employer: Incontrast
Training Coordinator: John Campey
What stage are you at in your apprenticeship journey?
I am currently close to completion, roughly one year nine months in and I just recently did my functional skills presentation.
What made you decide to undertake an apprenticeship? How did you come to work in print?
So I was working up on the floor stripping, packing etc for six months and the floor manager joe asked if I would be interested in printing down stairs, at first I was a bit unsure but after doing it for a little while I was intrigued then after 3 months of printing I was asked if I would like to do an apprenticeship and I agreed.
Tell us about some of the key knowledge, skills, and behaviours you have developed since starting your apprenticeship.
When I first started I didn’t have a clue on anything print related and I think since then I have learnt a lot but the main thing for me is that I can run the printers on my own without any help or supervision and because of that I have been trusted to do night shifts on my own.
Also my confidence has improved a lot I would say.
Tell us about a typical day at work for you.
I would get in for about 9.50pm and then speak with Mike, he’s the 2-10pm shift printer, he would just let me know what jobs are on and what to expect through the night.
Once Mike has gone I would then continue with the job that he has left me on checking it for any faults. Once that job is complete I would set up the next job on the list and just continue to do that until my shift is up. If the Arizona is running as well I would change that bed every 20 minutes and make sure that it is running correctly if i have spare time I would crush the ink cartridges in the hydraulic press we have and just keep the work station clean in general. Once my shift is up I would stay and chat with Dave telling him how the printer has been and what he could expect, tell him anything important and then my shift would end.
What’s the most enjoyable part of your apprenticeship?
Definitely progression in my knowledge, thankful for that I have some ideas which I’m sharing with my colleagues. Discovering new solution, being more confident in contacts with managers.