Job market information
Finding out about print and printed packaging
The print and printed packaging industry is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: building products; coatings; extractive and mineral process; furniture, furnishing and interiors; glass and related industries; ceramics; plus paper. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK printing serves all areas of business and leisure by producing a vast range of products. It covers the:
- Printing of newspapers
- Printing not elsewhere classified
- Bookbinding
- Pre‐press activities
- Ancillary activities related to printing
In business, print is used to help communicate information, demonstrate commercial advantage, create impact and make headlines. The industry also produces materials for education, entertainment and other sectors. Print companies tend to become specialists within their field, as different types of end product each require slightly different machinery. Demand for printed products has continued to grow.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 206,000 people employed in the industry, across 27,000 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full‐time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift‐based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 19% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 23% a Level 2, 25% a Level 3, 8% a Level 4 and 11% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £12.6 billion.
- There are 9,089 sole traders in the industry.
Jobs in the industry range from: machine assistant, bookbinder, packaging technologist, web publication designer, desktop publishing editor, pre‐press operator, graphic designer, reprographic assistant.
Entry and progression
Those wishing to enrol on apprenticeships in the industry have to demonstrate the potential to achieve at least an NVQ Level 2 qualification, plus the knowledge and ability to undertake the training. Entrants should have a good basic education.
Those wishing to enter the industry should have the following skills and attributes: ability to communicate effectively with a range of people; effective use of numbers; good problem‐solving skills; team working; enthusiastic about developing technologies; and willingness to continually update skills and knowledge.
There are a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry, particularly in entry level and service jobs. Other opportunities exist in the technical fields, such as packaging technologists, web publication designers and desktop publishing editors. There are also opportunities in high level technical specialist jobs.
There is a range of relevant industry courses, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
206,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
27,000 |
|---|
| Gender: |
71% male |
29% female |
|---|
| Age: |
9% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
|---|
| 22% 25‐34 years |
| 26% 35‐44 years |
| 26% 45‐54 years |
| 15% 55‐64 years |
| 2% are 65 years and over |
| 29% of the workforce considers themselves to have a disability. |
Employment trends and future prospects
There has been a decline in the number of employees in the print and print packaging industry in recent years.
Skill requirements and shortages
Generally, the skill needs for the future will be in higher level management and technical operations. There will be a continuing need for health and safety skills in the industry. It will become more important for people to be multi‐skilled and able to work across several areas of the business.
Skill shortages in the industry include:
- Employability skills, such as team‐working, having a good attitude, and using initiative
- Craft and Technical skills, such as pre‐press, digital design, litho printing and book‐binding
- Management and Leadership skills
Occupational trends
The largest occupational groups in the industry are:
- Skilled Trade Occupations
- Managers and Senior Officials
- Elementary Occupations
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 18,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,240 workplaces.
East of England – There are an estimated 31,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 3,250 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 20,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 4,620 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 7,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 650 workplaces.
North West – There are an estimated 24,100 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,550 workplaces.
South East – There are an estimated 25,900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 4,740 workplaces. There is a large concentration of companies in the South East.
South West – There are an estimated 16,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,360 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 20,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,220 workplaces.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 20,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,080 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 4,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 800 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 14,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,200 workplaces.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 2,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 workplaces.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Entry level (e.g. Production Operative) £10,000 ‐ £16,000
- Full operative (e.g. Machine Printer) £16,000 ‐ £35,000 plus
- Senior Management (e.g. Senior Production Manager) £25,000 ‐ £70,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Proskills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
