If you’re 16 or older and want to ‘earn while you learn’ then an apprenticeship could be for you.
With world-class training opportunities in a variety of roles, we are looking for new talent to join our high-performance team and kick-start your career in packaging. Find out more about our apprentice roles for 2022.
Meet Bradyn, Print Technician Apprentice (Coveris Labels, Boston UK)
Eighteen-year-old Bradyn from Swineshead in Lincolnshire applied to do a two-year Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship at Coveris, Boston (UK) in 2021. Bradyn is enjoying learning a new trade which will boost his career prospects in the future and is following in the footsteps of his dad who has been working as a printer at Coveris for over 20 years.
So Bradyn, why did you decide to apply to do an apprenticeship in print at Coveris?
I studied mechanical engineering at Boston College and applied to do an apprenticeship in that industry but was struggling to find a suitable role so my dad encouraged me to apply for this instead. I’d not really thought about a career in the print industry previously and didn’t have any prior knowledge, apart from what my dad had told me, but I’m really enjoying it so far.
Was it easy to apply?
Really easy. I went on to Indeed and filled in the application form, following which I had an interview over the phone. I was then invited to a face-to-face interview before being offered the job. Once I joined the company a short time after, I spent a couple of weeks going round the factory and visiting the different departments which was interesting and gave me a good insight into all aspects of the business from sales to production.
What does your apprenticeship involve?
I go to college in Newark one day a month and spend the rest of the time learning on-the-job at Coveris. I work alongside my colleagues in the factory who show me what to do and how to operate the machinery. At the moment I work from 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday, mostly loading raw materials on to the press, taking finished reels off the press and setting print stations.
What do you enjoy most about it?
Being in the workplace is very different to college and I enjoy it more as I’m a very practical kind of person. I like being able to learn-on-the-job while getting paid. At the end of the two-year course, I’ll have a nationally recognised qualification.
What do you like most about working at Coveris?
The machinery I use is very modern and reliable and it’s a fun working environment: I get on well with the people I work with and it’s a good laugh. The factory is very well maintained and there are very good welfare facilities. There’s also lots of training and opportunities to progress. In the future I hope to work my way up to a supervisory or managerial role.
Is working in the print/packaging industry different to what you expected?
It’s totally different to what I imagined as I thought there would be ink everywhere but it’s very clean and well organised! We’re encouraged to keep our areas in the factory tidy and make sure we’re maintaining the highest standards as we’re dealing with food packaging. I was also very surprised by the sheer variety of packaging products Coveris makes. One day we can be printing labels for Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s and then M&S the next. It’s nice to see what you’ve helped make out there on the supermarket shelves.
Interested in career opportunities at Coveris? Find out more about our apprenticeships or general roles.
