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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Printers In Somerset CLCI: SAR CRCI: PD Printing is a major industry that involves producing books, leaflets, newspapers, magazines, posters and other printed materials. Jobs within printing include originators, machine printers and print finishers. The work has changed greatly in recent years as traditional methods have given way to widespread use of computers and digital technology To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PRINTERS IN SOMERSET Printing firms are dotted around Somerset mainly in the larger towns. Some do general work for clients in the local area. Others specialise in a certain line of work and have customers all over the country. Firms vary in size from employing a few dozen people to several hundred. The area around Frome, extending towards Bath and Bristol, is home to some of the bigger companies HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when still at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college full-time to do a media, graphic design or printing course (if one is available)   Start as a trainee – or apprentice – with a printing firm and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in English, maths, science and design technology subjects can be a good start   Full-time college courses in media, graphic design or printing can help you become a better candidate   NVQs and BPIF print industry courses provide the basic training for the job (usually as part of your training or apprenticeship)   Short courses to learn new skills come as part of your job (and continue even when you are experienced) More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? You can often pick up a book by a well-known author and see it is printed here in Somerset WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. 16-18 year old trainees can earn £150-200 per week in some jobs. When qualified, and experienced, Somerset printers can earn anything between £300 and £600 per week FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Most Somerset print workers are in the thirties and forties. Openings for young trainees are quite rare   Many experienced printers are recruited by word of mouth   Training may come in the form of a structured apprenticeship. Or it may be organised by the company itself to meet its own needs   It’s a competitive industry. There are plenty of deadlines so it can be stressful   Things are changing all the time in printing. You’ll need to keep up-to-date and be ready to develop new skills   Hours can be long and awkward (especially if there is a big job to be done quickly)   You get job satisfaction by working to high standards and seeing the product of your efforts   With experience you may specialise in certain types of printing (especially as management opportunities are quite limited) WHO DOES THE WORK? Harvey (28) lives near Frome and has worked in the printing industry since he left school. After completing his apprenticeship Harvey moved up the ladder by doing various jobs and is now a machine manager in a sizeable company. It’s hard work, with lots of shift work, but Harvey enjoys the rewards of seeing his efforts reflected in his company’s products Angie (20) grew up in Wellington and did an art and design course at college. This introduced her to the idea of printing and, after a long search, managed to find a job in the print department of a large firm in Taunton. Her employer is sending her on courses run by the British Printing Industries Federation and, because she’s making such great progress, Angie now sees her whole career being in the printing industry More info: A-Z of careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use