▲[L to R] Riley MacRae Duffy, CX Services; Logan Van Beuge, Push Print; Aidan Rogan and Steven McKnight, CCL Design; and Ines Hiu Wai Law, Spirit Labels ties. Finally, think long-term. Apprenticeships aren’t a quick fix – they’re about building sustainable talent for the future.” Gearing also emphasises the important role Domino has played in encouraging diversity into print and packaging. “The UK faces a significant engineering skills gap, and programmes like ours help address that by opening doors for underrepresented groups, including women in STEM. By promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities, we can inspire the next generation of innovators and strengthen the industry for the future,” says Gearing. Speaking of the advantages of an apprenticeship, Gearing highlights soft skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership through collaborative projects. Gearing says that the experiences apprentices gain mean they are highly employable and are ready to contribute to an industry that demands precision, innovation, and adaptability. “Many apprentices start with one discipline in mind but discover new strengths – moving from mechanical to electrical engineering, or even into project management. Some go on to roles in product management or marketing,” concludes Gearing. Securing the Future When it comes to implementing apprentices into businesses, it is clear that these initiatives are imperative for many companies which have seen talent grown through the training and education apprenticeships bring. In 2025 Print Scotland recognised a number of apprentices, including Ines Hiu Wai Law from Spirit Labels, who was named Apprentice of the Year at the annual Print Apprentice of the Year awards. Ines was recognised after immersing herself in the technical and design aspects of the them grow into well-rounded professionals. Beyond Domino, we’ve also helped establish the Automate UK Apprenticeship Cluster, which brings companies together to share skills and strengthen retention across the industry.” For Domino, Gearing says the company is particularly proud of its strong 75% retention rate, which he believes is higher than the average graduate hire retention rate. Gearing says that many of the company’s apprentices have advanced from entrylevel roles to degree-qualified engineers that don’t carry the burden of a £60,000 to £70,000 student debt that others may get from university. “There are some great success stories,” says Gearing, who cites Bradley Moore and Tom Fleckney as examples of successful candidates who went on to become mechanical design engineers, with Moore being awarded Exemplary Academic Achievement. “Chetachineke Nwandu, an engineering apprentice has been instrumental in shaping our Apprentice Cluster and supporting Automate Best events. Her journey reflects the impact apprentices can have, not only on their own development but on our industry,” adds Gearing. “Perhaps the greatest reward for me is witnessing their personal growth, seeing promising school leavers transform into confident professionals who now represent Domino at industry panels and events.” When it comes to advice for businesses, Gearing advises to start early: “Engage with schools and STEM initiatives to spark interest in engineering careers. Be prepared for changes from education providers and ensure you have contingency plans in place. Also, offer variety – rotations across departments can help apprentices discover their strengths. “I would also add that investing in networks is extremely valuable. Collaborating with other businesses, as we’ve done through clusters, enriches the experience for apprentices and strengthens industry craft, with her employer, Laura Roy, commenting that she has been “exceptional” and “remarkable” when at the company. At the time of the awards, Jim McKenzie, Print Scotland’s training officer, called Ines “a standout and one of the best apprentices we have ever had". McKenzie added: "Her success also highlights a positive trend of more women entering the sector, with Spirit Labels currently employing four women.” Other awards given out at the ceremony included Press Apprentice of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Post-Press Apprentice of the Year, and Pre-Press Apprentice of the Year. The awards demonstrated the importance of both apprentices and those that mentor and employ them coming together to address the challenges the industry faces. Following the awards, Garry Richmond, ▼ [L to R] Tom Fleckney and Bradley Moore from Domino Printing Sciences 57 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 358 - January | February 2026 The government has pledged a £725m package of reforms to the apprenticeship system in order to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth £725m APPRENTICESHIPS | DAVID OSGAR
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