The Printing Charity has rewarded the hard work and talent of 78 youngsters (aged between 18 and 30) working for print and print related careers in the Rising Stars awards. The presentations were made at the House of Lords last week.
The winners, more than half of whom were female, work across the spectrum of the industry, both in terms of company size and geography, from Dundee down to Bexhill. Their jobs covered a spectrum of disciplines from journalists, through office admins and accounts executives, designers, to printers and those in finishing.
There was a good spread of book publishers as well as magazines, small and large print companies and industry suppliers. Some were from large businesses, others from the smallest.
The event was hosted by Lord Black of Brentwood who was able to reward Olivia McLaughlin, senior PR & marketing assistant and Charlotte Carter, office apprentice both from Baker Labels in Brentwood.
Each of the winners receives £1,500 to put towards training or other study to help further their career in the industry. This amounts to funding for 148 courses, again across the spectrum of practical task based training in colour management to sales and leadership training.
The Printing Charity, supported by Unite the Union and the Publishing Training Centre, categorises this under the headings of core skills training, training from professional bodies, personal skills and development and leadership and management.
Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell says: “As is the case every year, we are celebrating the achievements and future potential of the sector’s outstanding younger talent. What’s really encouraging, this year, is the increase in the range of courses we’re funding. These courses will drive our winners forward in their chosen careers underlining how the industry is arguably unmatched as a place for young people to build a fulfilling career in almost any discipline.
“It also highlights the evolution of what it means to work in print. This evolution will be driven by this year’s winners, by those who have won the Rising Stars before them, and by those who will win an award after them. It’s fair to say, with talent like this within print and the allied trades, the future’s bright.”
The total of 78 winners while not an absolute record, is a 28% increase on the number recognised last year and represents an investment of £106,000 in the industry’s future talent pool.
