Blog Posts

Building the Future of Flexo: Why Investing in Young Talent is Critical 

At Sandon Global, we’ve always believed that the future of the flexographic industry lies in the hands of the next generation. As a family-owned business based in Runcorn, UK, we’ve spent over 20 years building our reputation for excellence in anilox engineering, science and technology. But, alongside our drive to innovate for precision printing, quality and consistency, we’re equally dedicated to nurturing young talent through the UK’s apprenticeship programme – an initiative that’s very close to our hearts. 

For our CEO, John Millington, this isn’t just a professional commitment; it’s personal. John began his own journey in manufacturing as a 17-year-old engineering apprentice. He knows first-hand the transformative power of apprenticeship schemes and firmly believes that the future of engineering and manufacturing lies in developing the skills of young people who are eager to forge careers in this vital industry. 

Bridging the Skills Gap 

As John’s son, and our Managing Director, Richard Millington, rightly points out, “The skills gap is perhaps the most critical challenge facing our industry.”  

That’s why we’re so passionate about attracting and retaining fresh talent. Our apprenticeship programme, launched in partnership with Riverside College (Widnes & Runcorn) in 2017, has today welcomed 21 apprentices into our engraving team. Of these, 14 apprenticeships have been successfully completed and 3 are currently mid-apprenticeship. This hands-on scheme provides young people with the opportunity to work across various departments within our manufacturing operations, enabling them to gain valuable experience before specialising in their final year of training. We’ve also seen 11 of our apprentices move onto study the Higher National Certificate (HNC), a Level 4 vocational qualification, with nine having completed this course and 2 currently mid-studies. 

Our state-of-the-art facilities in Runcorn ensure that our apprentices have the chance to develop their careers using the latest technology. The success of this approach is evident in the achievements of three of our team members who recently completed their Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeships with distinction at Riverside College. We are incredibly proud of them and these first-class grades demonstrate that our apprentices consistently exceeded the standards set for the role. Their dedication and hard work are a testament to the value of investing in young talent. 

Beyond Engineering 

While our roots are in engineering, our commitment to apprenticeships extends beyond this field and, of the 21 apprentices we have taken on since 2017, two have been in Business Administration. In September last year, we warmly welcomed Megan Blackhurst as our Internal Sales Apprentice. Megan is currently undertaking her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with Warrington & Vale Royal College. Her journey is reminiscent of Alisha Hedges, who joined us over five years ago as a Business Administration Apprentice. Today, Alisha is a key member of our sales department supervising our internal sales team that supports our print customers worldwide. She is also an active voice in the industry as part of the Flexographic Industry Association UK’s (FIAUK) Shadow Board. This Board was established in 2023 to help with attracting and retaining younger people into the print and packaging industry. Alisha’s growth reflects the potential of apprenticeships to shape not just careers but the future of our industry. 

Sharing Knowledge and Supporting Growth 

Our commitment to developing young talent doesn’t stop at our apprenticeship programme. Sandon Global is a Diamond Partner of the UK Flexographic Industry Association (FIAUK) and an active partner of the FIAUK Academy. We support the Academy’s comprehensive skills training programme for the flexo print and packaging supply chain by hosting training days and contributing to training modules that educate on anilox-related topics. This collaboration allows us to share our vast in-house technical expertise with young professionals across the entire flexographic industry. 

Additionally, as a member of the DFTA Flexodruck Fachverband e.V., we recently joined the DFTA-Förderverein, a support association that funds scholarships and provides opportunities for young people in Germany’s flexo and packaging printing sector. Our involvement in exciting industry initiatives such as these is part of our broader mission to support and inspire the next generation of print and flexo experts. 

Looking Ahead 

At Sandon Global, we see our investment in young talent as an investment in the future of the flexographic industry. Whether it’s through our apprenticeship programme, our partnerships with educational institutions, or our involvement in industry-wide initiatives, we’re committed to ensuring that the next generation has the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to succeed. 

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but we know there’s always more to do. As we look to the future, we’ll continue to champion young talent and do our part to bridge the skills gap, ensuring the flexographic industry thrives for years to come.