Security Printer Puts Faith In Local Apprentices

Recruiting apprentices has enabled UK security print specialist Tall to make the most of home-grown talent, invest in the local community and ensure that it has a fully skilled and flexible workforce.

Recruiting apprentices has enabled UK security print specialist Tall to make the most of home-grown talent, invest in the local community and ensure that it has a fully skilled and flexible workforce.

The Tall Group has been involved in modern apprenticeship training for the last 12 years but, as sales director Peter Andrew explained: "We found that there was simply a lack of people locally who had the skills we need in this industry.

So we decided to make a drive towards developing home-grown talent since we could not just pick suitably trained people 'off the trees'.

There were few of the skilled staff we needed within striking distance of our premises." He said that the company had now made a long-term commitment to apprentice training, offering full support in-house for career development and, in return, discovering that Tall gets a flexible work-force with a commitment to the business.

The apprentice training scheme, which is run in conjunction with Manchester College of Printing, fits in with the company's key values as an Investor In People with a commitment to the local community.

Since taking on the first apprentices in 1993, eight apprentices have passed through Tall's doors but most notably six of the original apprentices have stayed with the group, developing their careers and rewarding the company's investment in their training.

Amongst them is continuous printer, Martin Coan (29) who has been with Tall Security since 1993.

Coan saw an advertisement for the apprenticeship in his local paper and applied since he already had some knowledge of printing and it has been a decision he has not regretted.

He commented: "My training involved all aspects of the company.

I have worked in every department including commercial executive, typesetting, plate-making, printing, print finish, encoding and packing.

I found my apprenticeship a good basis to start from and I have been given hands-on training so that I now have a good understanding of how the company functions." Coan has worked as a Heidelberg GTO press operator, 1960+ collator operator, QM operator and Morgan operator and he has his sights set on becoming a five-colour press operative at Tall.

The grounding he has received in all areas of the print room has made him a valuable asset, said the company.

Tall's print manager, Ed Starkey, added: "It just gives us so much flexibility having people available who have been fully trained in all areas.

Martin knows his job inside out but can also step in on other machines if necessary." It has been a similar success story for machine printer Chris Unsworth who has just completed 10 years' service with the company.

Unsworth (26) had an interest in the industry when he signed up for the apprenticeship and he has since enjoyed the depth of his training, particularly learning the set-up for the various machines, the details of job bags and the variety of inks used.

Unsworth, who has gained experience of Multilith 1650 and Heidelberg Printmaster presses, as well as a six-station continuous collator and who is now looking to the company's larger presses, explained: "My training has given me all the background knowledge I needed to progress my career at Tall." Both men, who live locally and attended schools in the Runcorn and Widnes area, said they enjoyed their apprenticeships and relish the careers that have opened up for them.

They both highly recommend the scheme.

"I would recommend a modern apprenticeship to any school leaver, as there are good job prospects and a variety of different machines to progress on throughout their career," added Coan.

Tall, which aims to have at least one person on the scheme all the time, is currently looking for a new apprentice to start in September.

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