Print

Nationally recognised training for the technicians who install and maintain the milking, water, and effluent systems New Zealand's dairy industry depends on.

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications — tailored to your business's specific needs.

5,672
Apprentices trained
Level 4
National qualification

The print programmes provide nationally recognised qualifications that combine practical workplace training with technical knowledge. They equip people with the skills needed to produce high-quality printed work across a variety of processes—including digital printing, offset and screen printing, reel-fed printing, binding and finishing, direct mail production and print industry management. Training covers pre-press preparation, press operation, finishing, colour management, quality control, and safe use of print machinery, with alignment to industry standards across multiple specialisations. The Level 4 print programme is an apprenticeship. The two binding and finishing programmes can be done indepentantly or as one apprenticeship.

Benefits of these programmes

  • Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
  • A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
  • Coverage of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility
  • Build skills in pre-press, press operation, colour management, binding and finishing, and print quality control
  • Pathways for progression from production roles to supervisory or management roles in print
  • Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

How we work with you

We partner with members of your industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This support includes promoting careers in your industry, identifying potential learners, and encouraging work placements.

We also ensure your industry’s qualifications continue to meet needs, support industry events like conferences, and regularly celebrate your learners’ success.

When apprentices enrol, we assign them a Competenz account manager. Our account managers understand the industry and the skills learners and businesses need to gain.

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice

Use this form to register with Competenz. We’ll get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.

Get started →
Onboarding guides

Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays — your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how to help your apprentice succeed.

Onboarding guides →
See your business impact

View the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. The lasting value of investing in your workforce.

ROI Calculator →

The dairy industry faces a persistent shortage of skilled technicians. Training your own people is the most reliable way to build capability that actually stays.

Competenz Training Advisor — Dairy Systems, Waikato region

You run the operation. We handle the training architecture.

Print is a global industry that encapsulates design and creation across a wide array of products. Print is everywhere you look – from the labels on your favourite foods to the packages delivering your online purchases.The print industry blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, using digital channels to stay relevant in our everyday lives. It’s a field full of diverse and rewarding career pathways.

What do people in print do?

Work skills vary depending on the workplace, but may include:

  • Creating or preparing digital files and artwork for print
  • Using design software and setting up files to meet print process requirements
  • Setting up, running, and maintaining printing machines
  • Mixing inks, adjusting machines, and monitoring colour and quality
  • Folding, trimming, binding, gluing, finishing, and applying specialty effects such as foiling or embossing
  • Troubleshooting issues and supporting production planning.

Most roles involve an eight-hour day in a workshop or production setting.

Sounds like you?

If you’re practical, curious about how things work, and comfortable in both workshops and outdoors — this is worth reading.

Study areas that help

  • Visual arts, graphics, textiles or design
  • Sciences or workshop technology
  • Computing, ICT or digital technologies.

Helpful experience

  • Making or fixing things
  • Working with tools, equipment, or machinery
  • Creative work (drawing, designing, styling)
  • Using computers or digital software.

Work environments

  • Indoors (workshop, plant, or production floor)
  • Structured, hands-on environments.

Good to have

Problem-solving mindset

  • Strong eye for detail
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Confidence using IT, computers, and technology
  • Practical mindset and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Career pathway

The apprenticeship is the foundation — not the ceiling.

School

Getting ready

From school, subjects like English, maths, visual arts, graphics, technology and digital technologies provide a strong foundation for print careers.

Entry level

You can start your print career through a traineeship or apprenticeship in roles such as:

  • Print finisher or bindery operator
  • Guillotine, folder or gluer operator
  • Prepress operator or designer
  • Digital, screen, sheet-fed or reel-fed printer.

Advancing

With experience, you may progress into roles such as:

  • Senior printer or finisher
  • Machine specialist or technician
  • Prepress or production coordinator
  • Quality or workflow supervisor.

Senior

Longer-term pathways can lead to:

  • Production manager
  • Print or operations manager
  • Technical specialist
  • Business owner or print manager.

Common questions

How do I set up my account for Competenz Central?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I’m an international student - can I do an apprenticeship or traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need a visa or work permit?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How old do I need to be?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How long is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How much does an apprenticeship/traineeship cost?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I have a job, what do I do next?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need to be employed to be an apprentice/trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What experience do I need to do an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be a trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be an apprentice?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Who is Competenz?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Print

The print programmes provide nationally recognised qualifications that combine practical workplace training with technical knowledge. They equip people with the skills needed to produce high-quality printed work across a variety of processes—including digital printing, offset and screen printing, reel-fed printing, binding and finishing, direct mail production and print industry management. Training covers pre-press preparation, press operation, finishing, colour management, quality control, and safe use of print machinery, with alignment to industry standards across multiple specialisations. The Level 4 print programme is an apprenticeship. The two binding and finishing programmes can be done indepentantly or as one apprenticeship.

Benefits of these programmes

  • Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
  • A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
  • Coverage of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility
  • Build skills in pre-press, press operation, colour management, binding and finishing, and print quality control
  • Pathways for progression from production roles to supervisory or management roles in print
  • Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications – tailored to your businesses specific needs.

How we work with you

We work with industry experts to develop nationally recognised qualifications, mapping the skills needed and registering them with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Our team develop training plans to make it easy for you to grow your employee’s skills and productivity.

Once your learner/s are signed into a training plan, you will be assigned a Competenz account manager who will:

  • Visit your business and your apprentices regularly throughout the year
  • Structure training into manageable chunks of learning
  • Set deadlines with apprentices to complete assessments (in full consultation with employers)
  • Co-ordinate access to online learning and arrange block courses
  • Assist apprentices to successfully complete their training programme.

As an employer, you need to become familiar with your apprentice’s training programme and targets, and provide them with plenty of opportunities to develop and practise the required skills.

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice
Use this form to register with Competenz. We'll use this form to get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.
Onboarding guides
Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays. These guides explain your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how you can help your apprentice succeed.
See your business impact
Use this calculator to view the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. It’s designed to show the lasting value of investing in your workforce.

Ready to get started?

Print is a global industry that encapsulates design and creation across a wide array of products. Print is everywhere you look – from the labels on your favourite foods to the packages delivering your online purchases.The print industry blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, using digital channels to stay relevant in our everyday lives. It’s a field full of diverse and rewarding career pathways.

What do people in print do?

Work skills vary depending on the workplace, but may include:

  • Creating or preparing digital files and artwork for print
  • Using design software and setting up files to meet print process requirements
  • Setting up, running, and maintaining printing machines
  • Mixing inks, adjusting machines, and monitoring colour and quality
  • Folding, trimming, binding, gluing, finishing, and applying specialty effects such as foiling or embossing
  • Troubleshooting issues and supporting production planning.

Most roles involve an eight-hour day in a workshop or production setting.

Sounds like you?

Study areas
  • Visual arts, graphics, textiles or design
  • Sciences or workshop technology
  • Computing, ICT or digital technologies.
Attributes
  • Strong eye for detail
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Confidence using IT, computers, and technology
  • Practical mindset and a ‘can-do’ attitude.
Helpful experience
  • Making or fixing things
  • Working with tools, equipment, or machinery
  • Creative work (drawing, designing, styling)
  • Using computers or digital software.

Preferred work environments
  • Indoors (workshop, plant, or production floor)
  • Structured, hands-on environments.

Pathway

School

From school, subjects like English, maths, visual arts, graphics, technology and digital technologies provide a strong foundation for print careers.

Entry level jobs

You can start your print career through a traineeship or apprenticeship in roles such as:

  • Print finisher or bindery operator
  • Guillotine, folder or gluer operator
  • Prepress operator or designer
  • Digital, screen, sheet-fed or reel-fed printer.
Advancing jobs

With experience, you may progress into roles such as:

  • Senior printer or finisher
  • Machine specialist or technician
  • Prepress or production coordinator
  • Quality or workflow supervisor.

Senior jobs

Longer-term pathways can lead to:

  • Production manager
  • Print or operations manager
  • Technical specialist
  • Business owner or print manager.

FAQs

Related FAQs

Ready to get Started?