Pathway
Press and Post-Press Operator
Press and Post-Press Operator youth apprentices gain foundational skills of press and post-press operation skills including printing software, equipment, and press and post-press processes.
Length of Apprenticeship: One year
Job Competencies
Youth apprentices must complete a total of 13 competencies per year. Twelve must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute up to 1 competency per year with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment. Note that where necessary, skills can be simulated.
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Competencies
- Review job ticket
- Perform work according to all safety guidelines and requirements
- Monitor equipment for correct operation
- Clean up work area
- Register print job
- Mount plate/screen (N/A for digital printing)
- Load substrate and ink
- Set up press
- Verify press set up (make-ready)
- Perform press operation
- Set up post-press
- Verify post-press set up (make-ready)
- Perform post-press operation
Related Instruction
Students must enroll in 1 High School Credit or 3 College Credits of related instruction each year they participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Purpose of Related Instruction
The purpose of choosing a related instruction course is to ensure students are learning technical and academic skills that support the student's ability to perform their work tasks. This should be done concurrently with on-the-job training to make relevant connections between learning competencies and work.
Choosing Related Instruction
You will collaborate with your YA Coordinator and School Counselor to determine the most appropriate option for related instruction. A course within your high school directly related to the career pathway is ideal, especially if dual credits and/or hours related to a potential registered apprenticeship are offered.
If there is not a directly related course in your school district, related instruction in the same career cluster is also acceptable.
If there is not a course within that career cluster in your school district, you may request to register for a college course through the Start College Now program with a local technical college, Early College Credit from a local university, or from an alternative provider such as Destinations Career Academy.
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- Digital Printing
- Printing Methods
- Commercial Art
- Algebra 2
- Business or Consumer Math
- Statistics
- Technical Math or Math for the Trades
- Advanced Placement Literature
- Composition for College
- Oral/Interpersonal Communication
- Speech
- Technical Writing & Communication
- Written Communication
- Computer Literacy
- Computer Science
- Career Development/Employability Skills
- College 101
- Diversity Studies
- Entrepreneurship or Intro to Business
- Leadership and Civic Engagement Courses
- Personal Financial Literacy or Consumer Economics
- Psychology
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High School and College Courses
- Digital Printing
- Printing Methods
- Commercial Art
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- Digital Photography
Post Secondary
There are numerous opportunities to continue your education after completing the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Registered Apprenticeships
Registered Apprenticeships in Graphics Design pathway are not currently available.
College and University
- Completion of a Youth Apprenticeship fulfills college admission requirements across the UW System. Click here to learn more Universities of Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Technical College System