12 March 2018

Future leaders tell PrintWeekLive! attendees what they want from the industry

Towards the end of National Apprenticeship Week 2018, the BPIF took their National Apprentice Council to PrintWeekLive! to hold their bi-annual meeting on Thursday 8 March. The Council was formed in 2015 to ensure that BPIF apprentices have the opportunity to shape the delivery of their training programmes and to provide them with a platform to share their views. Not only did the Council come together to work on their goals and objectives, they also took some time to explore the trade show and were given ViP tours of Canon and Xerox's stands.

In the afternoon, three members of the Council - Alice Murray of Hunts, and Amy Elrington and Jennifer Miller, both of Webmart - took to the Conference stage to take part in a well-attended panel discussion about the future of print, along with BPIF Chief Executive, Charles Jarrold. Chaired by PrintWeek Editor, Darryl Danielli, the panel explored why they chose to do apprenticeships, why and how they joined the print industry, what they enjoy most about their jobs and what print businesses can do to attract new talent to the sector.

It became clear that although the more experienced generations within the industry often highlight 'change' as being the biggest challenge to the sector, this was in fact what all three apprentices said they loved about their jobs. The fast-paced, innovative and ever-changing landscape of print is what keeps them on their toes and fuels their desire to learn more. Though the industry is teaching our apprentices the way of print, the industry in fact has a lot to learn from its apprentices.

Their advice to business owners was to get out to their local schools; show students, teachers and (sometimes most importantly) parents how exciting and valuable print is, and dispel the traditional ideal that University education is the be-all and end-all. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring that your business is an enjoyable place to work in.

Their final pieces of wisdom were for individuals considering an apprenticeship: research the apprenticeship options, speak with the company to make sure they're the right fit and be open to how much there is to learn. With graduate debt now averaging the £50,000 mark, apprenticeships offer a fantastic alternative route to a career.

The BPIF is the largest provider of apprenticeships to the print industry, currently delivering to over 550 apprentices. From apprenticeship programmes that ensure companies attract high quality entrants, to development training that guarantees the industry benefits from experienced and highly trained employees. BPIF Training have it covered.

For more information on the BPIF Apprentice Council click here.