PrintNZ has announced the Top Five finalists in this year’s prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award.
Each of the Top Five is a sector apprentice of the year winner. The Top Five:
• Parth Bhatt of McHargs, Christchurch (Binding and Finishing) – Print Finishers’ Association Binding and Finishing Apprentice of the Year
• Vanessa Hooton of Tainui Press, Matamata (Digital Printing) – PrintNZ Digital Apprentice of the Year
• Ryan Scott-Fellows of Hally Labels, Christchurch (Reelfed Printing) – BJ Ball Packaging Apprentice of the Year
• Nurudin Pelenda of Ovato, Auckland (Sheetfed Printing) – Heidelberg Sheetfed Apprentice of the Year
• Bonny Seymour of the Gisborne Herald, Gisborne (Reelfed Printing) – Trust4Skills Reelfed Apprentice of the Year
In a new initiative for the PrintNZ Apprentice of the Year, each of the Top Five will create introductory videos. Ruth Cobb says PrintNZ will post the videos on the association’s website as well as uploaded to PrintNZ’s Facebook page, where friends, family and colleagues can view and interact.
She says, “We hope this goes some way to replacing the exposure and prestige these five fine candidates would have received up on stage at the PrintNZ Training Graduations.”
“The videos will also offer a brief opportunity for the industry to get to know the Top Five on a further personal basis in complement to that provided by the written word.
“We really hope stakeholders view, like, comment on and share the videos, and that both their individual stories as well as overall knowledge about the fine standards of work and other achievements within the print sector are spread as far and wide as possible.”
In the meantime, she says PrintNZ will continue on the pathway of selecting the overall Apprentice of the Year and will continue to work alongside the Pride In Print Awards to find a suitable platform to announce the winner of both the Apprentice of the Year Award and Pride In Print Awards winners.
For further information please email PrintNZ chief executive Ruth Cobb at ruth.cobb@printnz.co.nz or phone 027 248 9404.
Parth Bhatt
He says, “I love contributing to the team effort, bringing out the best in myself and in my teammates, fulfilling our work goals and reaching top results. I seek timely and consistent feedback, designed to improve not only my performance, but the team’s performance as well. I consult with people, try my best and treat everyone positively/equally.”
He feels earnestly grateful to receive this year’s awards’ recognition and expresses appreciation for the personal inspiration provided by his seniors, colleagues and fiancée. He says, “I have faced several challenges on my way here, but each one of them has only strengthened me, to make me the person I am today – a thorough professional who knows exactly what he wants, someone who sets his eyes on a goal and does not lose sight of it.
“I also promise to only get better at my work so that you can see me here for more such awards.”
Competenz training advisor Steven Jack, says, “When I first met with Parth to discuss the apprenticeship I could see his enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in – this was demonstrated with a phone call from him the day after he had signed up to the programme, asking when he could get his books. When he had completed two workbooks within weeks rather than months to a really high level, I knew then he was one to keep an eye on.”
Vanessa Hooton
Gaining an insight to the sector while at high school through a once-a-week typesetting placement at a local newspaper, Vanessa Hooton has enjoyed a rapid evolution in the five years since.
She “I remember knowing next to nothing about the print industry and graphic design, but after the first few weeks of my work placement, I knew this was something that I wanted to do.
“The diversity of the print industry was attractive and the fact that each day was something different, with new things to learn and obstacles to overcome. I loved the chance to be creative and expand my knowledge.”
While admitting to feeling intimidated when learning of the achievements and honours of the many apprentices previously trained by Tainui Press Design and Print, she says making the Top Fiver has reflected her determination to match or exceed her predecessors. She says, “It is a huge accomplishment that I am so proud to share with everyone in my workplace. I always strive to do the best I can and I never like to output a ‘half-ass’ job.
“It is a rewarding and exciting feeling to be acknowledged in this amazing industry.”
Competenz training advisor Grant Alsop says, “Vanessa was engaged in her apprenticeship right from the start and throughout the four-year duration, she always had an assignment ready for assessment for each quarterly visit. She took great pride in producing top-quality assignments, all of the assignments were well researched and presented as a finished book displaying her design and digital printing skills and were consistently of an excellent standard.”
Ryan Scott-Fellows
Since entering the industry five years ago as a print assistant with his firm, Ryan Scott-Fellows says it has proven a great, mutual fit ever since.
He says, “It was something that would keep me both mentally and physically active, and had an artistic flair to it, which was something I wish I had done more with back in high school. I got the opportunity to start the apprenticeship in early-mid 2017 which I jumped at.”
He finds two aspects of his work particularly stimulating. One is producing visually stunning labels such as those for the wine and coffee industries, and the other is taking full advantage of the abundance of learning opportunities at Hally Labels.
He describes the awards recognition as a “massive and welcome surprise”, particularly given current events throughout the world. He says, “I always thought I had a good chance of getting a nomination, but actually being one of the Top Five Apprentices of the Year was just mind blowing.”
Steven Jack adds, “When I first met Ryan at the start of his apprenticeship he came across as a quiet, unassuming young man. As I got to know him, I discovered he has a real passion for what he does and hunger to learn. Ryan always has a smile on his face and has been a pleasure to deal with over his time. He is another bright star of the print industry and I wish him all the best for the future.”
Nurudin Pelenda
Emigrating to New Zealand from war torn, former Yugoslavia in 1990, Nurudin Pelenda turned his machine technician qualifications to various jobs before ultimately juggling two printer assistant roles in the late 1990s.
He says, “I am quite mechanically-minded, I have always had a thing about working with machines. So, I did other things, such as baking. I am a qualified baker and I actually emptied the bins for printing companies and then ended up asking them for a job.
“We have five kids, so at the time, I worked two jobs. I only had Sunday off, one day a week, for something like five years.”
He feels humbled to have the apprenticeship opportunity with Ovato and to gain the subsequent awards’ recognition. He adds, “At my age (48), for my company and my supervisors to recognise my hard work and to put me into the apprenticeship, I am very grateful. You usually expect it for someone younger. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and I am doing quite well on the press. I am quite humble, but I have a self-drive.”
Grant Alsop adds, “Nurudin was able to complete all of his assignments in a timely manner and to a good standard. He always provided good evidence, showing his understanding of the printing process by his ability to print quality work. We would often have some very good discussions about assignments he completed and his passion and hands-on knowledge of offset printing was evident.”
Bonny Seymour
When entering the sector as a print apprentice in 2016, Bonny Seymour says he was attracted by the opportunity to both make a significant change in his working lifestyle while also better providing for his growing family.
He says, “I regard gaining a trade certificate as a high honour,” he says.
His current position as pressroom operator at The Gisborne Herald also provides considerable job enjoyment. I really enjoy my workplace. All the staff at The Gisborne Herald are very approachable and there is a very good family vibe here.”
He feels proud to that he has received a sector apprentice of the year award and making the Top Five. He says, “I am very happy about my achievements to date. I never, ever would have thought that this could happen to somebody who grew up in a small town on the east coast of New Zealand.
“This apprenticeship was no easy road. I certainly left no stone unturned when it came to my assignments. I have a story to tell and I hope I can inspire other apprentices.”
Competenz training advisor Malcolm Pearce, says, “Bonny struck me from the first assignment I received from him as someone who stood out as being totally engaged in his apprenticeship. He is well thought of by his supervisors and colleagues and has a very amiable manner about him. The quality and presentation of his assignments was outstanding and each assignment seemed to outdo the previous one.”
