The Print Trailblazer is an employer-defined standard for apprenticeship programmes
Over the past few years, plenty of time and effort has been dedicated to the Print Trailblazer – a new employer-defined standard for apprenticeship programmes – and these standards have now been approved by the Government.
The Print Trailblazer proposal was first submitted in July 2014 but was unfortunately unsuccessful. However, feedback confirmed that it was a strong proposal which was clearly employer-led. Continued lobbying for Government support of apprenticeships resulted in a resubmission in February 2015 led by the Trailblazer Consortium, whose members include the BPIF, Unite the Union, Ryedale Group, Oxuniprint, BCQ Group, CDi, Multi Packaging Solutions, Westferry Printers, Page Bros, De La Rue and The Printing Charity.
James Buffoni, chair of the consortium, commented, ‘The team have now successfully highlighted the core skills, knowledge and behaviours required by future apprentices. Thank you to everyone involved – this has been a rigorous process that has required perseverance from everyone involved. We can now move towards the creation of durable and practical delivery and assessment criteria which will help future apprentices and employers forge a meaningful career path.’
‘The print industry and the BPIF have been very vocal in what they believe is right for the industry and the end result is we have an apprenticeship scheme that is exactly what was required,’ said Ian Wilton. ‘Once the end assessment criteria has evolved it will result in individuals that will take this wonderful industry we are in forward for future generations. Well done to everyone who has been involved in this, it really has been an industry-wide effort.’
Ursula Daly, programme director BPIF, concluded, ‘Thank you to the consortium and to the industry for their support and perseverance, whilst this is a great milestone to have achieved we now need to forge ahead with producing an assessment plan and getting that approved before providers can start delivering under the new standard.’
