John Stelmasiak, 19, who has been employed by the company for three years, will join the 20-strong team of Bobst field service engineers who cover the UK and Ireland at the end of his apprenticeship.

Stelmasiak’s course will be held at the company’s production facility in Shanghai where, with other engineers from Bobst Service Centres, he will learn about the electrical and mechanical operation of Bobst Novacut die-cutters.

The company is now on the look-out for a new recruit aged between 16 and 19 to join the company’s apprenticeship programme in the autumn. The apprentice will undertake a one year engineering course at college and then three years on-the-job training with day release.

Bobst Group national service manager Alan Letford said: "We always aim to have at least one apprentice in training at any time. John has done really well and now we need to find someone with the same energy to join us. We can’t promise they’ll end up in China, but it’s a great opportunity for someone."