Print Finisher
Northend Creative Print Solutions

Scott M

0.00.00 My name’s Scott M. I’m a Print Finisher and I work at JW Northend in Sheffield. A Print Finisher takes flat printed sheet off the press and turns into the finished product. Full of variety and the differences of what I do keeps changing constantly. I enjoy the other people I work with are really easygoing and very friendly people. When you’re younger you always have a dream and dream to become a footballer are probably my dream that everyone used to dream about.

0.00.30 But it just wasn’t realistic for me. At school I didn’t have no idea whatsoever what I wanted to do. There was no real guidance through school. It wasn’t important to me. It was more of a place to go see my friends and mess around. I wish I had done more at school but I’m perfectly happy what I got out of school and where I am now. I didn’t know anything about the printing industry whatsoever.

0.01.00 It was through a family friend who got me a job as a work experience through school. I first came I didn’t know what to expect whatsoever. I came and I found it’s not just a little photocopying machine that’s in a corner. It’s actual massive production company and I just enjoyed the variety of works that were being done and different skills that were being used. Just before finishing school I wrote Northends and asked him whether there was an opportunity for an apprenticeship or some, even some part-time work.

0.01.30 He made it clear that they were interested in me coming to work for him and that I’d done well on my work experience and impressed. By the time I’d gone into my interview, they’d already set up an apprenticeship place for me and I was quite fortunate I was, being that I was their first apprentice that this company took on for well over twenty years. Through my apprenticeship I was given a mentor from Northends which happens to be one of my colleagues and still is and he was the guy that I’ve mainly learned everything off.

0.02.00 So I’ve got a lot to thank him for. He’s basically down to him that I’ve sticked at this job cos he’s made it interesting for me. He’s shown me the way to go in this industry. My dad’s a car mechanic and he advised me against being a mechanic as one day your car’s going to be drove into a garage and plugged into a computer and fixed. He says if you get a proper industry trade behind you, you’ll be in the job for life.

0.02.30 That’s where my main inspiration’s been my dad. Just seeing how he used to bring us up, give us everything we ever wanted. He’s just been my role model, I’d love to be like him when I’m older. I think nowadays there’s a lot, lot more opportunities out there. There’s new industries starting all the time and I think when my dad was a lad there’s only so much you can do.

0.03.00 You have a little, well years ago you either worked down pit or you went in the Army. Now there’s thousands of different careers you can choose from. I feel I’ve had a good opportunity to have a look round and choose my own direction in life and I think I’ve chose the right one. Outside of work I like socialising with friends, playing sports, just general young lad things really, going on holidays, just playing around. At the minute I don’t see myself doing anything different.

0.03.30 I’m happy where I am. I can see myself progressing further within this industry. I’ve had to work my way up the company and become well respected within the company with other colleagues and with family and friends. If I met a teacher from school now I think they would really be surprised where I have come these days. I wasn’t the brightest kid at school. I was probably one of the naughty lads but I’ve calmed down a lot. This industry has really pushed me forward in life and made me a better person.

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