Visual Print’s MD moves To Solopress
Graham Hunstone, managing director of recently acquired print provider, Visual Print & Design, has been hired as head of partnerships by fellow UK printer, Solopress
The BPIF needs input from the industry on a new Apprenticeship Standard being implemented
The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has called on the wider print industry for input as a new Apprenticeship Standard is being developed.
The Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard is a key apprenticeship program for training skilled print staff offered by BPIF Training.
Recently, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) announced it was conducting a review of a number of standards including the Print Technician Standard.
Whilst the standard was deemed “sufficient”, the IfATE wanted the format to be brought in line with its new requirements.
The addition of Duties to the standard required a comprehensive review of the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours statements and their associated grading descriptors.
In particular, the IfATE has been rigorous around the new requirements for equality, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability, but also around the technical aspects of the standard.
As a result, BPIF has been required to increase the skill level requirement of the assessors put in place by the End Point Assessment organisation. Feedback from employers and training providers has also led BPIF to add a merit to the achievement list for apprentices.
The consortium led by the Chair James Buffoni of Ryedale Group; Vice Chair Ian Wilton of CDS, and the BPIF team have all worked hard to offer a standard which meets the full requirements of IfATE which also supports the industry in the development of skilled apprentices.
Designed to qualify learner apprentices to Level 3, The Print Technician standard plays a key role in businesses as without it, there would be no Print Level 3 apprenticeships.
Therefore, the BPIF is asking for the help of the industry to offer their input in order to ensure the Federation has captured fully the skills required for this role and identified correctly how they need to be assessed.
The deadline for input is Friday June 9th 2023 and The Print Technician Occupational Standard can be found here and the Print Technician End Point Assessment Plan can be found here.
Any comments or feedback can be provided via Ursula.daly@bpif.org.uk.
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