Rokas Rickevicius – BAKER LABELS
Name: Rokas Rickevicius
Apprenticeship programme: Level 2 Print Operative
Employer: Baker Labels
Training Coordinator: John Campey
What made you decide to undertake an apprenticeship? How did you come to work in print?
Working at bakers was my first experience at working in a print industry. I didn’t know what to expect or how it would go but i thought it was a good opportunity. After a few months I got offered an apprenticeship here and, to work and learn on the machines here
Tell us about some of the key knowledge, skills, and behaviours you have developed since starting your apprenticeship.
After working here I learnt how busy the print industry is, which improved my speed at working, learning about memorising different materials and order numbers. I learnt how to retain knowledge on different types of roles and machines. Also became more confident in trying out different machines, being up for learning different things in the workplace and learn as much as possible as I find it all interesting.
Tell us about a typical day at work for you.
Normally i would clock in then head over to the inkjet press, turn everything on and start setting up a job. If there’s no work in the morning I would then look at getting materials for all the presses and logging them into the system and helping out wherever I can. Normally around 1pm I would have a break for an hour, after my break i would then go back to working on the inkjet or finding materials, sometimes I’d also try and learn about the indigo presses if there’s time. Then clock out at 5pm.
What’s the most enjoyable part of your apprenticeship?
I think that learning different presses and working on them is most enjoyable for me. I have really good colleagues that are always there and ready to help me out if I’m struggling and it’s a really good environment for me.
What do you see yourself doing on achievement of your apprenticeship?
I’d like to stay within the company I work for after achieving my apprenticeship, I’d like to be able to work on different presses especially the indigo presses and even possibly learn the bakpac press.
Would you recommend apprenticeships in the print industry to others, and what would you tell them about the industry?
I would recommend them as there’s a lot to learn in printing. There’s all sorts of different presses that you can learn, all unique and interesting. Printing is different to typical jobs and it’s a big opportunity and enjoyable for everyone.
What do you think are the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship?
There’s a lot to learn in printing, it’s fun and you get to meet great and encouraging people. This apprenticeship has been great for me as I’ve come from a completely different work environment and it’s a breath of fresh air for me.