61 Issue 250 - December 2023 / January 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk APPRENTICESHIPS Much has been said and written about the concerns over a skills gap across both the sign-making and wide-format print markets. While those currently working in the industry are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in their lines of work, the major challenge for businesses is bringing in and developing the next generation of workers. Training new staff and bringing them up to speed with the many techniques used across the two markets is a rather daunting task. However, there are several options available to sign-makers and wide-format printers to ease this process and help them to attract the best talent. One such option is apprenticeships. Skills for Life Open to anyone over the age of 16 in the UK, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university, or training provider, which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. It is very much a win-win – a statement those companies featured here will very much agree with. The interest in such schemes is also increasing. During this year’s edition of The Print Show, one session at the Knowledge Zone focused on the importance of bringing young people into print. While much of this focused on print, many of the topics covered cross over into the signage market – especially seeing as the special session was supported by FESPA UK and featured three of the leading talents from within its FESPA Next Generation Committee. As for what companies are already running apprenticeship schemes, first up we have DecTek, a company that provides a wide range of services to the industry and currently has four digital print and manufacturing apprentices. Director Mike Beese says apprentices are the core of what the company does: fostering future young entrepreneurs to become leaders in their field. “Our apprentices are involved in the very core of design, development, and production,” Beese says, adding: “They are continually given new skillsets to applied products and engage in other activities such as health and safety, forklift driving, and continuous improvement training activities – all of which are skills for life. “Opportunity is a doorway to self-growth. We encourage our students to become self-propelled in life and to meet their objectives whilst becoming dynamic assets within the company, aligning and growing together. Over the years, DecTek has had around 12 successful apprenticeship programs.” YOU’RE HIRED! An increasingly popular option for both sign-makers and wide-format printers seeking to attract new talent to their business, we speak with several companies that have utilised apprenticeship schemes to expand their workforce ▲ MacroArt has a long-term commitment to apprenticeship schemes
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