Last year Lara took out the 2006 New Zealand Business Forms Apprentice of the Year.
Runner-up of the PrintNZ's Mainland Apprentice of the Year Awards was Xavier Spruytte of Rainbow Print Group.
Fifty five print industry members and guests attended the Christchurch's Southern Encounter Aquarium recently to hear the winners announced.
The PrintNZ Mainland Executive holds the Awards evening each year to recognise the training achievements of apprentices from the Mainland region (from Timaru up to the top of the South Island).
Lara and Xavier were among six finalists who attended an interview panel as part of the selection process. Judges took into account each candidate's training record, employer information and the candidate's presentation to the panel. Twenty Mainland apprentices from Greymouth, Nelson, Ashburton and Christchurch who completed their training within the last 12 months were considered.
The other finalists were:Christine Young, Wyatt & Wilson Print; Claire Luckman, Grey Star-James Print;
Heidi Bromley, Grey Star-James Print; and Karl Bigg, of Foster Graphics.
PrintNZ Mainland executive president, Mike Dawson says the finalists are the managers of the future.
PrintNZ General Manager, Ashley Chisholm, spoke on the importance of having skilled staff and how PrintNZ Training can work with employers towards this goal.
The Mainland Apprentice of the Year Awards is sponsored by Spicers Paper and PrintNZ Training.
