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Rising star: Brandon Smith, HP digital printer and ABG finisher, Harkwell

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The electrical trade’s loss is print’s gain. Brandon is 20 and has been working at Poole-based Harkwell, which specialises in labels and pouches for a wide range of customers, since the spring of 2019.

He was highly commended in the Trainee of the Year category at this year’s Printweek Awards and praised for his “can-do” attitude to his role 

When did you start working in the printing industry? 

March 2019 

What did you study, and did you have a particular career in mind? 

I studied Level 2 electrical installations in college, but I was unable to find a suitable position so I ended up choosing to do a BPIF Level 3 press technician apprenticeship, hopefully to finish in early 2023 

How did you find your way into the industry? 

My dad was a Manroland Lithoman number 2 operator and I was interested in the machinery 

Did you know anything about print beforehand? 

Dad would come home showing me photos and videos of his press and explaining the process to me so I had a fairly good understanding from the get-go

 What’s the most enjoyable or interesting thing about it? 

I get to tackle new challenges every day, which also means I get to learn more, which is what keeps me going 

What would be your dream job (print related)? 

I have always been in awe of the Lithoman and have always wanted to run a big machine like that 

What would be your dream job (not print related)? 

A car mechanic. I love the modified car scene, so much creativity

Do you have a ‘side hustle’?

Although I haven’t made any money from it yet, I do DJ and have made some mixes in the past

What’s top of your playlist at the moment?

It would be without a doubt: Daydreamer by KC Lights. Both the original and the night mix

What’s your most-used app?

Soundcloud. I can’t do anything without music

What has surprised you most about working in print?

The process of how something is printed, whether it be that a magazine or label. It isn’t as simple as anyone would think

What could the industry do more of to attract young people?

I’ve always classed print as ‘the hidden trade’, because if you ask anyone if they know what printing is, they’d say a desktop printing. So making it more visible would help a lot as it’s so interesting

If you ruled the world...?

I wouldn’t, or couldn’t. It would be too stressful

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