National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses, and industries across the UK. At CDS, apprenticeships aren’t just an entry point into work — they are a genuine pathway to long‑term careers. Today we focus on a true apprenticeship success story in the print industry.
Few stories illustrate this better than that of Joe Tosney, who joined CDS as one of its first apprentices. More than a decade later, now holds the role of Account Director.
For Joe, the traditional university route never felt like the right fit. While he performed well at school, his A‑levels were affected by an attempt to pursue a professional golf career. When that didn’t work out, his options narrowed — and clarity became essential.
An apprenticeship offered something university could not at that point in his life:
real‑world experience, recognised qualifications, and a stable income — all at the same time.
“I knew I needed structure, financial stability and a chance to build something long term,” Joe explains. “An apprenticeship gave me all three.”
After applying across several industries, Joe interviewed at CDS. The decision was immediate. The openness of the interviewers, the approachability of leadership, and sense of camaraderie he felt walking through the office made CDS stand out.
“It felt like a place where people genuinely wanted you to succeed.”
Joe’s apprenticeship at CDS was a 12‑month, workplace‑based programme designed to combine practical experience with structured learning. The programme was supported by fortnightly visits from a Leeds City College tutor. Allowing formal study to be directly applied to real client work and accelerating skill development.
Within nine months, Joe had successfully completed:
Before the apprenticeship had concluded, Joe was offered a full‑time position as a Print Account Executive, demonstrating CDS’s commitment to recognising potential and investing in early‑career talent.
Rather than stopping at Level 2, Joe chose to continue his professional development by completing Level 3 NVQs alongside his full‑time role. This combination of hands‑on experience, academic support, and early responsibility created a strong foundation for long‑term career progression within the business.
Joe joined CDS as a full‑time employee in December 2015, continuing in the Print Account Executive role he began during his apprenticeship. From the outset, he was trusted with real responsibility, including working with printers, managing technical specifications, and building client relationships.
Within a year, Joe progressed to Junior Account Manager, taking ownership of smaller client accounts while gaining exposure to CDS’s design and editorial services. He also began project‑managing larger campaigns and shadowing Senior Account Managers on complex, long‑term contracts.
Joe was later promoted to Account Manager, expanding his portfolio and moving into CDS’s digital and technology services, broadening his expertise beyond print. During this period, he managed some of the business’s most high‑profile national campaigns, including events attended by Prime Ministers and members of the Royal Family.
In 2022, Joe became a Senior Account Manager. Leading large, complex accounts and contributing to process improvement, retention strategy, and competitive bids. In October 2025, he was promoted to Account Director, where he now line‑manages account teams, supports key client relationships, works closely with senior leadership, and contributes to wider business strategy.
This progression demonstrates the long‑term impact of investing in apprenticeship talent.
Looking back, Joe identifies the breadth of exposure during his apprenticeship as a key factor in his development. He worked with a wide range of printers, gaining a clear understanding of different production methods and how they operate in practice.
A standout experience was spending two weeks at CDS’s production facility, shadowing teams across client services, production, finishing, and the warehouse. This hands‑on exposure gave him a full end‑to‑end understanding of the print process — from brief to despatch — and helped translate theory into real‑world knowledge.
“This gave me a full end‑to‑end understanding of a print job — from brief to despatch. It made everything click.”
Joe’s apprenticeship didn’t just help him get started — it shaped how he works today.
By understanding the industry at a granular level, he’s able to speak confidently with clients, offer informed consultancy, and make strategic decisions grounded in real technical knowledge.
“Without the apprenticeship, I wouldn’t have had the baseline understanding that everything else has been built on. I almost certainly wouldn’t be working in this industry today.”
As one of CDS’s first apprentices, Joe benefited from a programme that was championed at leadership level. From day one, colleagues across the business were generous with their time, patient with mistakes and invested in his development.
That support didn’t stop when the apprenticeship ended.
“One of CDS’s greatest strengths is its people. The culture of togetherness and support I saw at my interview is the same culture that exists today.”
It’s a culture that continues to help apprentices — and experienced professionals alike — thrive.
Starting an apprenticeship can be daunting. For Joe, it meant entering an office environment for the first time with little prior industry knowledge. The biggest challenge was learning to ask questions.
As a shy 19‑year‑old, Joe initially found this intimidating. But the supportive culture at CDS made it clear there was no such thing as a stupid question. That sense of psychological safety allowed him to build confidence quickly and fully engage with the learning process — something he believes is essential for apprentices to succeed.
During National Apprenticeship Week, Joe’s advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is simple. “Don’t be afraid to try something completely outside the box.”
Not everyone knows what they want to do at the start of their career. Many industries can feel inaccessible from the outside. An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to start from scratch, learn an industry properly, and build a career you may never have imagined.
By committing to the experience and giving yourself time to learn, apprenticeships can open doors to long‑term success.
This National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Joe’s journey highlights how apprenticeships are not a second choice — they are a proven pathway to sustainable careers and leadership.
At CDS, we’re proud to celebrate and invest in the development of people at every stage of their career. Helping to build the future of the print and communications industry through meaningful apprenticeships and long‑term progression opportunities.
Could you be the next apprenticeship success story in the print industry? Discover how we’re developing careers in print — and shaping the next generation of talent — this National Apprenticeship Week. To register your interest, contact us.