Meet Zoe, 20, and find out more about life as an apprentice paper maker at Two Rivers Paper Company in Somerset. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Zoe:
Hi, I'm Zoe I'm 20 years old and I'm a heritage paper maker. I make handmade artists' paper at a mill that is over 400 years old. We are unique, not only because we are the only handmade paper mill in the country, but also because we use the power of water as a source of energy.
The majority of industrial paper mills, they actually use wood pulp. In our mill, we actually use cotton pulp due to its durability and its quality. So the first step is we take five and a half kilos of cotton pulp sheets into the mill ready for the paper making process.
Once the cotton is brought into the mill, it is then fed into a hydrapulper which is essentially a really big food processor. After that it is then sent downstairs into the Hollander beater. After a number of processes, the paper is then dry and then we are left with the finished product which is then ready to be painted on.
After I finished college, I was very arts and craftsy so I wanted to find a job that would coincide with that. I discovered Two Rivers Paper from a fellow craftsperson and so I wanted to follow through with an apprenticeship. I managed to get numerous bursaries from charities that were in support of my craft.
Zoe's boss:
The largest impact that Zoe's had on the business is by raising the amount of paper that we make and of course the amount that we sell. We've doubled our production in the year since Zoe's been here.
I'm coming up to 72, so I guess I'm coming towards the end of my working life and, at that stage, I'll be handing over the business to Zoe and the other two guys who are working for me to run the business on into the future.
Zoe:
I've already completed one year in my three-year apprenticeship and I truly believe that this is something I'll be doing for the rest of my life.
I truly believe this is something I'll be doing for the rest of my life.
- Zoe enjoyed Science at school but wasn't sure what job they wanted to do
- As an apprentice, they are learning traditional methods to make watercolour paper for artists
- Zoe loves the hands-on nature of the job and believes it's a career for life.
What to expect if you want to be a paper maker
- Paper maker average salary: £17,000 to £25,000 per year
- Paper maker typical working hours: 41 to 43 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be a paper maker?
You could get into this role via a papermaker advanced apprenticeship, which usually takes about 36 months to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study. You can also apply directly.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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