Two BCQ Group apprentices show retired printers what print looks like today

Four retired printers living at The Printing Charity’s sheltered home, Beaverbrook House, recently visited BCQ Group in Buckinghamshire to gain an insight into what print looks like today.

Over tea and biscuits, Chris Knowles, Managing Director of BCQ Group, showed the residents a promotional video to give them a flavour of the work the company undertakes.

This was followed by a tour of the printing facilities, including the Pre-press Department, print floor, and production offices. Chris explained each of the processes from litho and offset litho to digital, as well as the finishing processes to show the end products’ complete journey.

The residents engaged with staff, including two young apprentices, Aaron Toombs and Jack Carter, who previously visited Beaverbrook House in October 2017.

They shared an insight into their day-to-day activities as apprentices in training.

Knowledge and experiences were shared throughout the morning as the residents reminisced about their time in the printing industry. They commented on how clean everything seemed and the impressive working conditions, with one resident saying that “it makes you want to go back to work”.

Chris Knowles said:

“BCQ Group was delighted to host some of the residents of Beaverbrook House. It was great to see the retired printers alongside our young apprentices again, talking, and demonstrating some of today’s state of the art printing processes.  Our staff also enjoyed hearing about the Beaverbrook House residents’ own memories from their careers in print.  We look forward to meeting them again soon.”

Neil Lovell, The Printing Charity’s Chief Executive, added:

“The charity is in a unique position of being able to bring together different generations in print to learn from each other. The generations sharing experience is to be celebrated in the industry. We would like to thank BCQ Group for hosting such a terrific visit for the retired printers from Beaverbrook House.”

One of the retired printers commented after the visit: “To speak to the apprentices and staff about the print trade and exchange experiences that still link an older generation to the latest generation was very uplifting, a good day all round.”