The revised standard, which comes into affect from 1 November 2023, has broadened the scope of learning for apprentices, with additional focus on emerging areas within the print sector, such as the latest digital production processes.
The new standard was developed by an industry consortium, including institutions and businesses across the industry, including De La Rue, Westrock-MPS, The Printing Charity and Unite the Union.
James Buffoni of Ryedale Group led the consortium, supported by Ian Wilton, formerly of CDS, and Charles Jarrold of the BPIF.
The key changes to the standard include the addition of a detailed job description for apprentices, an increase in the number of knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSB) statements required from the apprentice, and a more rigorous assessment plan.
Buffoni said: “Skills and attracting new people into the industry is a perennial challenge.
“Modern apprenticeship standards are important both to ensure employers have the skills for the future and to ensure our sector is an attractive career choice.”
Training for the standard will be available from the BPIF and a handful of qualified providers.
Ursula Daly, programme director at the BPIF, welcomed the revised qualification's acceptance by IfATE.
She told Printweek: "It's great news for the industry.
"[The consortium has developed] a solid standard with rigorous assessment, which will deliver strong apprentices.
"Employers, supported by the BPIF, have worked hard over the last two years to ensure that it worked for the industry and met government requirements."
Jonathan Bray, managing director at Learn2Print, told Printweek that it was key for the industry to get young people into apprenticeships.
He said: “Since Covid, we’ve seen a lot of companies signing people on as apprentices.
“The overall impact will start to bring the average age – which is 48, in the printing industry – down, and that’s the beauty of these qualifications: it’s helping to introduce new blood into companies.”
He added that the industry is hardly given a thought during secondary education when pupils are considering their future careers.
He said: “You have Bob The Builder when you’re three, but nobody talks about the printing industry.
“It’s great for young people that they can access [the qualifications], and it’s good to get new blood into the industry.
“But the key thing for us is that [post-qualification] progression.”
