17 July 2012

Winners of the 2012 Print Futures Awards announced

The eight winners of the 2012 Print Futures Awards, the annual scheme sponsored by Unite the Union, The Printing Charity and the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), were presented with their cheques at the All-Party Parliamentary Print Group's event at the House of Lords, London, on 11 July.

Now in their ninth year, the awards of up to £1,500 each are open to people aged 16 to 30 years to help pay for tuition fees and other costs associated with part-time or full-time training courses for a job in the UK printing, publishing and graphic arts industries.

Steve Sibbald, a National Officer of Unite, said: "This year's winners include apprentices planning further training courses and young people undertaking degree courses. Their enthusiasm for print and commitment to working in the industry impressed the judging panel and we wish them all the best in their careers."

Stephen Gilbert, Chief Executive of The Printing Charity, commented: "Sponsoring these awards continues the ethos of the charity's founders by helping to educate young people to enable them to earn a living wage in the industry."

Kathy Woodward, Chief Executive of The BPIF, said: "With nearly one million young people unemployed, it is critical that industry demonstrates commitment to those seeking to work and encourages both hard work and entrepreneurialism. The BPIF is delighted to support these awards."

The 2012 Print Futures Awards winners are:

CHANEL STRACEY: Chanel has just finished her first year of a BA(Hons)Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University and has a twin sister doing exactly the same course at the same time at Nottingham. Chanel plans to become a top graphics designer and is currently enjoying discovering the delights of screen printing.

JACK GARDINER: Jack has just finished the second year of a BA Graphic & Media Design at the London College of Communications. He has a particular interest in typography but, privately, admits he is smitten with printed products and has a compulsion to visit bookshops and stationers enjoying the feel of paper and the smell of the ink!

JENNIFER CANNON: Jennifer is a full time student at Leeds University studying for a BA in Design & Colour Technology. In October she begins a nine month placement with a leading branding and packaging company and her current focus is on the use of colour in packaging.

JAMIE BARRETT: Jamie comes from the beautiful county of Dorset working as an apprentice machine minder with Epic Printing Services. He currently helps run a big six-colour Mitsubishi press and is training under the guidance of the BPIF.

AMY-FERN NUTTALL: Planning to become a graphic designer in the magazine publishing field Amy-Fern has a BA(Hons) in Photography from Edinburgh University but will now use her Print Futures Award to help fund re-training at Shillington College.

LEWIS KEMP: Lewis is an apprentice print finisher with FRIP Finishing and operates a sophisticated spot UV gluer. He admits he struggled through school but has now found his feet and has committed to the printing industry. He would like to increase his knowledge of graphics generally.

SOPHIE BOWYER: Sophie is another successful BA Design & Colour Technology student from Leeds University where she is under the watchful eye of Programme Director, Carol Beanland. Sophie's passion for print began when she won two local "design an ad" competitions. Now in third year of her course she will be able to fund a summer work placement and perhaps invest in a MacBook.

JAKE FOULDS: Jake, from Halifax, works for The Label Makers as an apprentice on a Xeikon digital press. Having opted for an apprenticeship rather than university Jake is planning external training courses to achieve his ambition - supervisor, then production manager!

To find out more about the Print Futures Awards, see www.printfuturesawards.com or contact Terry Ulrick, the Awards Secretary, on 01444 831918, email: [email protected]