Zack Sutherland joined the company towards the end of last year on a BPIF Level 2 NVQ apprenticeship in digital printing, digital pre-press and digital artwork. More recently the company has recruited Natalie Cole to work in digital print.
The pair joined two existing trainees and the company is now looking for two more apprentices to work in its pre-press department.
Sutherland is involved in the BPIF's National Apprenticeship Week campaign to attract apprentices into print. The week runs until tomorrow (18 March).
Pureprint, which is headquartered in Uckfield, East Sussex, advertises for apprentices locally through the careers departments at local schools and on the BPIF website.
Digital production director Ian Godden said: “Apprentices bring fresh young blood to the company and it's something I've been keen to develop for some time. It's great the company supports apprenticeships.
“Zack has taken well to the digital printing department. He has worked alongside our experienced operators on our new case-binding machinery and on our digital dispatch desk.”
Godden said Sutherland had the advantage of working in a very busy department, tackling personalised books in the run-up to Christmas.
Pureprint Group employs more than 400 people and has a turnover of £60m, producing corporate, retail, creative and fine art printing.
The company has invested more than £20m in the past five years in digital, litho and large-format printing facilities, data management, mailing, fulfilment, creative packaging, POS and marketing collateral management services.
Its current plant list includes four Heidelberg XLs, a five- and a 10-colour and two six-colour models; and two HP Indigos, a 7800 and a 10000.
Sutherland said: “I’m looking forward to learning how to operate the digital presses and attending the BPIF technical training in London as well as meeting other apprentices.”
Two young people have already progressed through the Pureprint digital printing apprenticeship scheme, with Dean and Josh Tapp completing their NVQs.
Dean is fully HP trained and running a 7800 and Josh has moved on to operating an HP Indigo 10000 press in New Zealand.
Chief operating officer Anthony Thirlby said: “The combination of technology, innovation, creativity and enterprise make the printing industry of today an exciting career opportunity.
“We will be extending our apprenticeship programme over the next few years and we see this as crucial to Pureprint’s future.”
BPIF foundation and advanced apprenticeship manager Andrew Bracey added: “It is fantastic to see Pureprint expanding their apprenticeship offering as their business grows."
Godden added the BPIF had been “a great support in the recruitment of apprentices” and provided a good opportunity for the apprentice to meet other apprentices in the industry.
