So, who is Max Weller...?
We recently managed to sit down with Max for a catch up, we thought that we would take the opportunity to learn a little more about our newest apprentice...
Check out the Q&A below!
Q: What are your hobbies / interests?
Max: "My main one would be football, I play as a striker for Abingdon Youth, I have been playing since I was 4 years old. My other main hobby would be cars, I own a DS3 at the moment. I love modding my car and showing it at car meets."
Q: Do you have any pets?
Max: "Yeah, I have a dog called Esme."
Q: Do you have a favourite song?
Max: "At the moment I really like Ed Sheeran - Shape of You, but its got to be the Stormzy remix . I love grime music the most. I also really like Bruno Mars - 'Thats what I like' ".
Q: Who inspires you?
Max: "My family because they've worked really hard to get where they are and they've always taught me that in life, you get out what you put in. Lawrence (Max's friend) also inspires me because he's doing really well for himself and he is a similar age to me, so it gives me an idea of what to push for. We also share the same interest in DS3 cars." (Lawrence also happens to be Max's supervisor here at LeachPrint...)
Q: What have you achieved that you are most proud of?
Max: "I've won quite a few football awards; sportman of the year, parents player & managers player, so I'm quite proud of those."
Q: If you were stuck on a desert island what three things would you want with you?
Max: "McDonalds, Lucozade & my phone".
Q: Describe yourself in one word.
Max: "Bubbly?"
For 7 years Colin Belcher was our folder operator / van driver, until recently as he has taken his well-deserved retirement.
Before taking on the role of being a full time grandad, Colin was able to teach apprentice Max how to operate our three folding machines.
Our three folding machines take on a big role within the finishing department. From leaflets to medical inserts, mechanical folders cut out time spent folding products by hand, freeing up some of our staff to work on other finishing roles.
Since Colin has left LeachPrint Max is well on his way to mastering the tricky task, with only a little help along the way.
Following on from this learning curve Max now moves to our repro-graphic studio.
Next in ‘The Diary of Max Weller’, the exclusive interview with the man himself… plus a minion?
Of course he made it! - After tracking Max down, we found out how he got on at college...
After all our careful planning Max made it through London with relative ease (It seems our first aid kit was not needed)!
We asked Max how he got on, "It was good. I liked being in London and meeting new people, it was something a bit different."
Like our previous five apprentices, Max is enrolled on an apprenticeship course through the BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation). Max attends the BPIF base at the St Bride Foundation in Blackfriars, where he is studying towards achieving an 'NVQ certification in Print Finishing level 2'. This qualification is a two year apprenticeship in which Max will learn the many different aspects of printing, such as; operating/maintaining machinery, team work and health & safety - to name but a few.
The apprentice scheme combines 'on the job' training with theory, allowing Max to build on his knowledge of the printing trade, whilst developing practical skills. Upon completion of the apprenticeship Max will become a qualified member of the UK printing industry, offering the opportunity for him to become a full time employee here at LeachPrint. Here he will put his specific skills and understanding to good use and become an invaluable member of staff, as have the previous five apprentices before him.
We are very proud of Max for making such a success of his first trip to London… even if at one point he found himself on the wrong tube line, going in the wrong direction. Luckily with the help of his trusty tube maps and high-tech LeachPrint tracking device, Max was able to navigate his way back home.
Keep an eye out for the next instalment of 'The Diary of Max Weller' where Uncle Colin shows Max how to fold!
Welcome to Mark Piper, joining us as our new van driver.
Good to have you on the team Mark.
John joins us as a new press minder;
Specialising in Litho Printing and with forty-nine years of experience in print, John brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team - It's good to have you on board John.