24 July 2009

Seven winners for the Print Futures Awards 2009

Sixth year of helping enthusiastic young people fund their training for a career in print.

Seven young people have been successful in this year's Print Futures Awards, the scholarship scheme sponsored by the British Printing Industries Federation, Unite the Union and the Printers' Charitable Corporation.

From those shortlisted, the seven winners, who are predominately from the North of England, had to convince the judging panel that they deserved an award to help fund their education and training for a career in the UK printing and graphic arts industries. The Awards, which are now in their sixth year, are for £2,500 each or where an applicant is receiving company funded trining support-£1,250.

"Once again we have been delighted with the high standard of entries and our winners are to be congratulated, " said Dale Wallis, BPIF Membership Director and member of the judging panel. "Our industry needs and deserves young people of this quality."

Steve Sibbald, National Officer for Unite, added: "More than ever, our industry needs enthusiastic and innovative young people such as these. I have no doubt that these Awards will be a sound investment. I wish them luck in the future."

The 2009 Awards were presented to the winners at a ceremony kindly hosted by Konica Minolta at their London headquarters on July 21. Attending were senior representatives of the three sponsoring organisations and other printing industry dignitaries. Each winner also invited a personal guest to witness the ceremony.

The 2009 Print Futures Awards winners are:

JULIA INSHAW: A young working Mother, Julia is currently employed in an executive marketing role at leading magazine printers Headley Brothers of Ashford. She has a BA 2.1 in English Literature and plans to study for a Professional Diploma in Marketing.

CHARLOTTE GEORGE: A consultancy co-ordinator and events organiser within the BPIF's marketing department, Charlotte now plans a one-year course with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

SUZANNE ELAND: Currently employed by Cheshire West & Chester Council as a print buyer, Suzanne is intending to study for a BA Hons in Graphic Design at the University of West of England in Bristol.

WILLIAM BOOTH: William already has industry experience, having worked for a brand graphics specialist. The award will help him complete his degree at Leeds University.

JAMES ORMEROD: James works for general commercial printers, The Naylor Group in Accrington, where he is just completing his apprenticeship. He now wants to study for a BA Hons in Design & New Media at Lancaster University.

MARC GOODWIN: Marc is a planner working for Sheffield Web. He has been self-funding the first year of his Impress Degree Studies at Leeds University and his award will help pay for a further four years of study.

FIONA BOOTH: The youngest winner, Fiona is an ultra-enthusiastic member of the customer services team at the family-run Prime Group in Mansfield. Her special interest is personalised print. She initially plans to train is aspects of customer service at Leicester College and then aim for a B.Tech.

The Print Future Awards are open to anyone aged between 16 and 30 years to train for a career in printing or the graphic arts. The only stipulation is that applicants are resident in the UK and intend to or already work in printing or graphic arts.

The 2010 Print Future Awards will be launched in January. Details about the scheme can be obtained from the Awards Secretary, Terry Ulrick on 01444 831918, Mobile: 07850 105027, Email: [email protected].

Details are also available at www.britishprint.com, www.unitethe union.org.uk and www.printerscharitablecorporation.co.uk