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The British Printing Industries Federation's (BPIF) chief executive Kathy Woodward showed the organisation's support for National Apprenticeship Week last week by visiting the apprentices working at Precision Printing in Barking. Woodward was accompanied by local MPs Margaret Hodge and Stephen Metcalfe.

Metcalfe, who himself grew up as part of a family printing business, comments: "The printing and associated media industries are at the forefront of technology and have exciting career opportunities. It is important that the 140k-plus employees in the sector have access to quality training that equips them for the fast changing environment they work in. I am delighted to support National Apprenticeship Week."

He also noted how apprenticeship placements develop 16-year-old new trainees into employees suitable for higher-level management qualifications.

As part of the BPIF's support for young people in the printing industry, each MP is to receive a personalised postcard explaining the 'Power of Print' and the advantages of apprenticeships.