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Meet Michael Bertham

Print Technician

Michael is a Process Leader at De La Rue

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What I do

I help make banknotes for countries all over the world. I work with polymer, which is used to make the plastic-style notes that we use in the UK.

My job is to manage a team and keep the printing machines running, so we can produce money to the right quality and on time.

If something goes wrong, I help fix it quickly so there are no delays. That helps make sure everything keeps moving as it should and countries don’t run short of cash.

Print Technician Michael, wearing a hi-vis jacket, reaching into an industrial machine, in a manufacturing workshop.

How I became a technician

When I was younger, I didn’t really plan to become a technician. I just liked taking things apart to see how they worked and then putting them back together again.

For my GCSE options, I chose PE, design and technology (woodwork) and art. I didn’t do very well in PE or woodwork, but I did well in art.

How I became a technician

After school, I planned to go to college to study electrical mechanical engineering, but I decided not to go on my first day. I had already been working since I was 13 and I chose to go straight into full-time work instead.

I worked in a hardware business, helping in the shop and later in a small warehouse, making sure stock was ready for orders.

How I became a technician

Then, just before I turned 18, I applied for a job at De La Rue, as a Flowline Operative (someone who works on the factory production line).

From there, I worked my way up, completing a Level 3 apprenticeship in data essentials, where I learned how to use tools like Excel and Power BI to analyse data. That now helps me plan work and solve problems in my job.

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A typical day in my working life

I work 12-hour shifts, starting at either 6am or 6pm. When I get in, the first thing I do is walk around the factory floor to check the machines are running as they should. I’m listening and looking for anything unusual – sometimes you can spot a problem before it turns into a breakdown.

At 7am, I have a meeting with the team leaders. We talk about any issues, what jobs are coming up and whether everything is ready.

A typical day in my working life

Then at 9:15am, I meet with my managers to give updates and flag any problems.

If a machine breaks down, fixing it becomes my immediate priority. If the machine can still run safely, I’ll start it up, so that I can see the issue happening in real time.

From there, I track the problem back to its cause – whether that’s the machine, the material or something else. Some fixes require me to get hands-on with tools.

A typical day in my working life

For example, if there’s an issue with a cutting blade, I might need to spend 4 or 5 hours adjusting it with multiple bolts, until it’s perfectly aligned again.

Other times, I’m stripping parts out like shafts or motors and getting them repaired or replaced.

Not every problem needs me on site. Some of the inspection machines use camera systems, so I can log in remotely from my laptop at home.

A typical day in my working life

I can adjust settings like lighting or sensitivity, to improve how the machine reads the banknotes.

I also use data to support my decisions at work. I look at machine data to see patterns – for example, how long a blade lasts before it goes blunt, or when a part is likely to fail.

That helps me plan repairs before things break, to avoid downtime.

A typical day in my working life

If everything is running smoothly, I’ll spend time analysing performance and preparing for the next jobs, but most days involve getting stuck into problems and keeping the machines running.

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Print Technician Michael, wearing a hi-vis jacket, inspecting a large industrial machine, in a manufacturing workshop.

What I love about my job

I enjoy the challenges. Every day can be different, and there is always something new to solve.

Working with people is another big part I enjoy. There are lots of different personalities, and that keeps things interesting.

I also like that I started at the very bottom and worked my way up. It’s helped me understand everything inside out, which makes the job more rewarding.

The skills I use most

Communication is one of the most important skills I use. I need to keep my team informed and motivated so we can get the job done properly.

Problem solving is another key skill. When something goes wrong, I break it down step by step to find the root cause. That means working out if the issue is caused by the machine, the material or something else.

I also use data skills. I analyse information from machines to predict when parts might fail and to plan production.

Having the right attitude is just as important. You need to stay focused, keep trying and always aim to do your best.

I enjoy the challenges. Every day can be different, and there is always something new to solve.
Stay focused and keep working towards what you want. If you have a goal and stick with it, you can get there.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

It’s a very supportive environment. People are always willing to help each other, and no one acts like they’re better than anyone else.

That makes it easier to solve problems and get things done.

My favourite piece of equipment

My favourite tool is actually something simple – a screwdriver. I use it in a clever way to listen to machine parts called bearings.

A bearing helps parts rotate smoothly. I place the screwdriver on the machine and hold it to my ear, and I can hear whether the bearing sounds smooth or if it’s grinding, which means it’s worn out. It’s a quick and simple way to spot problems early and keep machines running.

What I like to do in my spare time

I still enjoy practical work. Recently, I replaced my kitchen just because I fancied a change.

When I was younger, I was always outside riding my bike or fixing things. Now it’s more about working on projects at home or in the garden.

My school days

At school, I enjoyed hands-on subjects more than academic ones. I liked making things and being creative.

I didn’t always get the best results, but I was always curious about how things worked, even if I didn’t realise it would lead to a career later on.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

One of my proudest achievements was helping to set up a brand-new factory line.

I worked on installing new machines and getting them ready for production. This included cutting and inspection machines. I made sure they met the required standards, worked with suppliers and helped create training and safety documents.

Seeing those machines go from nothing to full production was a great feeling.

A surprising fact about my job

The machines run 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. I didn’t realise before I started that making money is a constant process.

Also, some problems can be fixed from home by logging into the machines remotely and adjusting settings.

The next steps in my career journey

I could move into a more senior management role, overseeing the whole department, or go further into the technical side and focus more on the machines.

I haven’t decided yet which path to take.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Stay focused and keep working towards what you want. If you have a goal and stick with it, you can get there.

And you don’t have to go to university to be successful – there are lots of different paths.

Print Technician Michael, wearing a hi-vis jacket, reaching into an industrial machine, in a manufacturing workshop.

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