Apprentices of print and related industries celebrated their achievements during the recent Training Graduation hosted by PrintNZ and Competenz in Christchurch.
Graduates came to the Rydges Hotel venue to receive their awards and qualifications from levels 2 through 5.
Ruth Cobb, general manager of PrintNZ, began the awards ceremony by welcoming the trainees who completed their studies last year and those who have supported the apprentices throughout the duration of their studies.
She said, “Welcome to the trainees who successfully completed studies in 2016. It is all about you today. I also wish to extend a special welcome to the many supporters here today: the trainers, employers, friends, and family. They have all contributed to the success of each trainee so we want to acknowledge their attendance today.”
She commented often people outside the print industry only associate print with three areas and don’t recognise the many other products produced within our industry. She said, “Everyone gets the obvious ones like books, newspapers, and magazines but there are so many other things being produced by our industry every day that many take for granted such as labels, street signs, packaging. Imagine going to the supermarket if there was no printing.
“2017 marks the third year that PrintNZ has hosted training graduations which recognise the achievements of the apprentices and trainees in the print and affiliated industries. Over these years we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of over 500 trainees in various fields who are ensuring print in New Zealand has a great future.
“A special thank you to BJ Ball Papers, Fujifilm and Tharstern for your support in making these industry training events possible.”
PrintNZ and Competenz share a strong commitment to ongoing industry training. The graduation event, celebrating the success of staff and management in the industry, gives everyone an opportunity to pause and take time out to appreciate what they have created.
Cobb said, “Our industry requires skilled workers to produce excellent products and today that’s what we are here for; to celebrate those people who have made a commitment to our industry by undertaking a training programme, and for the employers that have recognised their talent and provided them with the opportunity to do so.”
She said that the support for the event bodes well for the future of the industry, adding that we need to encourage all sectors of the industry. She said, “Seeing the number of qualified staff entering the industry is encouraging as this is a tangible sign that print is an industry with a strong future”
“The qualifications aren’t only for manufacturing, they recognise all areas that are essential to business success.
“These aren’t just trade qualifications like printing, packaging, print finishing and direct mail. It takes a team to run a successful business and each of those team members has their own area of expertise. So today, we have graduates that have completed programmes in sales; business; health and safety; competitive manufacturing; first line management; and the print management diploma.
“It is the combination of all these skills that sees our industry produce fantastic, award winning, world class work that is seen and used every day”
The event all saw the announcement of the following awards
Apprentice of the Year Finalists:
Wade Jones – Labelmakers Ltd, Hamilton
Ngatokoa Kaokao – Jenkins Freshpac Systems Ltd, Tauranga
Taryn Gannaway – Beacon Print Ltd, Whakatane
Ryan Fraser – Rocket Print Ltd, Auckland
Robert Kemp – Brebner Print, Napier
Brett Pulford – Beacon Print Hawke’s Bay Ltd
Myra Anderson – Printing.com Wellington
Robert Pearce – Pakworld Ltd, Christchurch
Frederick D’Rozario – Images Unlimited, Christchurch
Hannah Eades – Goose Screen Design, Christchurch
Nicholas Ball – Coveris, Christchurch
Apprentice of the Year Top 5 Finalist: Robert Pearce, Pakworld Ltd – Christchurch
Diploma of Print Management Finalist: Graham Simpson, Wellington City Council – Wellington
Trainer of the Year Finalist: Jared Maxwell-Smith, Electronic Imaging Limited – Christchurch
Training Company of the Year Finalists: Hally Labels – Christchurch, Kiwi Labels – Christchurch, Electronic Imaging Ltd – Christchurch, Fairfax Media Christchurch
Top Binding and Finishing Apprentice: Elisha Pahia, PMP Print Auckland
PrintNZ will announce further finalists in each category at the North Island Training Graduation in Auckland on March 22. The overall Apprentice of the Year winner, Training Company of the Year and Trainer of the Year will all be announced at the Pride in Print Awards gala dinner on May 12 in Christchurch.
Click here for further information about upcoming training events or visit on www.printnz.co.nz/events
Awards celebrate training
