Here at OPM Group, we’re always looking to the future. We believe strongly in working hard in the here and now to create a brighter future for everyone in the print and packaging industry.
This is evident in our new product developments – such as our Multi Dex multi-indexed peel and reseal label solution or our revolutionary TLC label for the wipes market – but this wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t also invest in people. That’s why we’re proudly announcing a new initiative to get the students from our local community into the print industry.
As anyone working in our industry will know, the print and packaging industry has an aging workforce, and it struggles to attract new and younger talent. The next generation of ideas that will provide growth for printers in the future is at risk.
As a company that is so passionate about this industry, we wanted to do whatever we could to address this. We have always offered apprenticeships to graduates and school leavers, but now look forward to building on this approach with our new initiative.
It involves inviting schools in our local community to work with us as we create more work experience programmes for students. We’re also offering tours of our factory to groups of young people, so we can give as many young people as possible a taste of the diverse career options within the print industry.
We were inspired by a student from Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School in Leeds, who spent two weeks at our factory on their work experience programme. This student had a positive experience during their time with us and got to see all the different areas of the business. We felt their eyes were opened to a diverse range of careers across the print industry – an experience we want to share with as many young people as possible.
That’s why we reached out to the school to invite a group of students to our factory for a tour, kicking off our new initiative to inspire the next generation of label designers, machine operators, material technicians, and more. Our aim is to introduce young people to the many diverse aspects of the print industry, offering experience, advice, and insight into printing, as well as the broader packaging and manufacturing sectors.
We believe this is a vital initiative for the future of our industry. To those outside the business, converting may not be thought of as the most academic of industries, but it’s actually highly technology-driven. It thrives on creativity and innovation, and no two days are ever quite the same.
We also believe this is crucial for the future of young people who are looking to take their first steps into the real world of work. The print industry offers many different careers, all with exciting growth and progression opportunities that a young, enthusiastic person could flourish in.
Shauni Hyde, Progression Officer at Mount St Mary’s School, said, “One of our students attended OPM Labels and Packaging for a two-week work experience placement. OPM was fantastic in providing the student valuable work experience across every department within the company and didn’t hesitate to offer support. This enabled our student to gain valuable life skills that he would only learn in the work environment, supporting him to progress in the future with his studies and career path.
“As a school, we believe it’s extremely valuable to students to gain hands-on work experience and we were very grateful for the opportunity for our student to attend his placement at OPM.”
As part of this new initiative, we are taking more students on short work experience programmes and factory tours. We are in the process of reaching out to many more schools in Leeds and beyond, and would invite any school interested in this experience to contact us!
