Director Michael Schulz said the move was a response to the lack of formal education and certification faced by digital printers.

"SOS has been employing digital print operators since the 1980s… Digital operators [have traditionally] learned on the job and had no formal qualifications," he said.

"This was in contrast to offset printers, who had gone through an apprenticeship, received formal training and became tradesmen.

"With the rise of importance of digital print and the rapidly changing technologies used, this educational gap became even more obvious and so did the need for recognition of knowledge acquired on the job."

[Related: Digital future calls for better skills says PIAA]

Schulz said SOS had offered formal training to its digital operators several years ago. Five accepted the opportunity and completed a Certificate III – Printing & Graphic Arts. Those same employees have now started apprenticeships so they can become printers by trade.

The apprenticeships will include on-the-job training and are expected to last for two or three years, said Schulz.

"SOS values staff training very highly and we value the opportunity to formalise the training and recognise existing knowledge acquired on the job," he said.

"Without training, the industry will not be competitive. It is imperative for an industry undergoing so much change."

The five apprentices are Adrian Adrian, Tim Tian, Andrew Robertson, Dominic Siriburana and Katie te Kawa.

[LinkedIn: How do you attract young talent?]

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