Top Five Apprentices for the year named

PrintNZ has named its Top Five apprentices for the year.

The outstanding candidates are Alexander Cameron-Brown, Travis Jordan, Craig Murray, Todd Nicholls, and Karl Pearson. One will become the BJ Ball Papers Print Industry Apprentice of the Year. PrintNZ will announce the winner on June 25 at the 2021 Pride In Print Awards gala dinner in Auckland.

Ruth Cobb, PrintNZ chief executive, says the calibre of these apprentices came to the fore in the difficult circumstances. They had to complete their studies during last year’s onset of the global pandemic. She says, “Some had to continue to go to work under extreme pressure and others weren’t able to go to work at all.

“They also lost the face-to-face visits from their Competenz training advisors through this time. They only had virtual support from that side. Furthermore, the businesses they worked for also had to endure intense pressures. They worked under far from ‘business as usual’ circumstances. They also worked around it and enabled their apprentices to complete the requirements of their learning.

“Despite all of these challenges, these apprentices continued on to complete their studies. They did more than just pass, but did so at the exceptional level they had demonstrated right throughout their apprenticeships.

“PrintNZ is extremely impressed by the contribution and performance of all parties. It speaks volumes to the mettle and talent in abundance within our industry.”

Recently, PrintNZ hosted its Auckland and Christchurch Training Graduations and the Top 12 Apprentices, named earlier in the year, all vied for the top five spots.

The PrintNZ Top Five Apprentices for the year