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At first glance, many apprenticeship professions seem boring and completely unremarkable. Often, it is difficult to imagine what they actually involve. In our new blog series, we would like to give you an insight into our (apprenticeship) professions and explain exactly what each profession in an innovative digital printing company entails. You can look forward to finding out more, because our apprentices are given a lot of responsibility right from the start.
See for yourself!
What does training as a media technologist involve?
Training as a media technologist offers great versatility. In addition to creativity and precision, you should be particularly enthusiastic about technology, as technical progress is at the heart of many digital printing companies. For example, the print image is transferred from a PC to the respective printing machine via fully automated or manual processes. You are therefore responsible for monitoring the printing processes. You also have the option of choosing between different training courses in the field of printing technology.
As a media technologist in printing, you are – as the name suggests – responsible for printing. You control and monitor the printing of various printed products, which are used to produce items such as books or calendars.
During your training as a media technologist in print processing, your tasks will include producing printed products from digital printing. You will also be responsible for checking the printed sheets and setting up the respective processing machines.
What tasks will I perform as a digital printing media technologist?
You are responsible for the digital machinery:
- In addition to setting up and operating state-of-the-art, high-quality digital printing machines,
- you will control and optimise the printing processes for single and multi-colour printed
- materials such as books, calendars, posters, etc., in compliance with
- quality standards,
- maintain and service the printing units, and
- ensure the print quality of the end product.
What does a typical working day look like?
- Start: Your working day begins with the early shift at 6:00 a.m.
- Switching on the machine: Your printing machine is booted up and you check all technical conditions
- Calibration: The machine must be calibrated to ensure a high-quality print image
- Start print job: The correct paper must be loaded and all print settings checked
- Proof: You check the position, the imposition (arrangement of the individual pages on the printing sheet) and the colour – you may need to make further adjustments.
- Everything OK: The first job can be printed.
- Check: The position and colour screening are checked on the light table using the thread counter.
- Break: After a short breakfast break, further jobs are now printed.
- Unclear print image: Your machine needs to be serviced and you need to find out why streaks are forming.
- Troubleshooting: You have been successful and can continue.
- Toner change: Your printing machine needs more cyan, so the current print job has to be stopped and you take care of replacing the toner
- Lunchtime: You can relax in the break room and recharge your batteries with lunch
- Final spurt: The last jobs are waiting for you and then it’s time to call it a day at 2:30 p.m.
What requirements do I need to meet for the training programme?
To train as a media technologist, you should have a degree of manual dexterity and creativity. A qualifying secondary school leaving certificate, intermediate school leaving certificate or A-levels are excellent prerequisites for this training programme. If you are also a true team player and have an eye for the company’s costs and quality awareness, don’t hesitate to apply.
Where and how does vocational school teaching take place?
Training as a media technologist is mainly dual. Here you will go through three different phases, which are divided into in-company, school-based and inter-company training.
During the in-company part, you will mainly work in production and operate various printing machines with the help of experienced colleagues. Depending on the location of your company, school lessons will take place in blocks or once or twice a week at the vocational school. In the subject of crafts/technology, for example, you will learn how to deal with malfunctions in the printing process or how to ensure a constant paper feed.
If your company cannot provide all the necessary training content, you will have to make up for the missing qualifications through inter-company training. The focus of this training is on practical work in the company. Theoretical knowledge is taught at vocational school. If you are completing training as a media technologist in the Augsburg/Donau-Ries area, your vocational school lessons will take place at BS2 in Augsburg.
What are my prospects after completing this training programme?
After successfully completing your training as a media technologist, you will have numerous opportunities for further training. For example, you can complete a master’s degree in print media or become a state-certified technician in printing and media technology. Alternatively, you can also opt for a degree programme focusing on media production or packaging technology.
Why should I complete an apprenticeship at Elanders?
There are numerous advantages to completing an apprenticeship with us at Elanders. As an employee, you are our focus and can look forward to the following benefits:
- Mentoring system: A mentor will be at your side throughout the entire apprenticeship.
- We won’t let you down: Support with exam preparation.
- Cost coverage: Travel costs to vocational school, books, photocopying and much more are sponsored.
- Corporate benefits: Benefit from numerous discount offers from well-known brands/companies.
Are you interested in training as a media technologist? Then don’t miss your chance to receive high-quality training at our company and become part of our team. Apply now using the form below! We look forward to hearing from you.