The course, taught by Newark-based trainer Learn2Print, included the history of print, pre-press, sheetfed and lithographic printing processes, and culminated in a four-hour observation of the students running a printing press, a professional discussion, and an exam.
Rickie Jones, Chris Spears, Danny Sturman, and Harry Wilson passed the qualification in July 2022, the first in the UK to gain the accolade, according to Learn2Print.
All four will now work on Clays’ Timson T48 monochrome litho presses as part of the firm’s workforce of more than 750 staff.
Kurt Townsend, web room day manager at Clays, said that despite difficulties presented by the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, the four had worked hard to gain their qualification and were all now running their machines to a high standard.
He told Printweek: “While this was a struggle at times as certain aspects of the course needed personal interaction, everyone involved kept going to make sure it would be a success.”
The Level Three course requires apprentices to complete Level Two English and Maths qualifications alongside a general education in printing, which is supplemented by a specialisation in pre-press, press, or post-press skills.
Wilson said he had found learning to print with Learn2Print tutors Jon Bray and Alistair Lindsay very enjoyable.
He told Printweek: “They were both easy to get help from and they push you to get the best result you can.
“I’m not the best when it comes to the theoretical side of anything really, but they do give you all the help they can to allow you to understand what is going on.
“Passing this brand-new course with the other guys from Clays feels like such an achievement, working hard to complete the two-year course to now further my career in print feels very rewarding and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes me.”
Clays was bought in 2018 by Italian firm Elcograf for £23.8m, a move which Townsend said has spurred Clays to invest in the future.
He said: “[Training the apprentices] is a massive step in the right direction for the business - and print industry as well.
“Since the business has been owned by the Elcograf group they have invested in new machinery, but they are also investing in the future of young adults who want a career in print.”
