Printing apprentices honoured by industry

The hard work and commitment of Dunedin screen printer Cory Pollard during several years of training has earned him the accolade of screen printing apprentice of the year for 2009.

As a category award winner in the PrintNZ Training Apprentice Awards, Mr Pollard is one of six finalists in contention for the ultimate print industry training award - apprentice of the year.

Digital process printing apprentice of the year winner Rebecca Fraser, of Otago Daily Times Print in Alexandra, is another finalist in the awards.

The national winner will be announced at the annual Pride in Print Awards, to be held in Auckland on June 18, 2010.

All finalists will attend, taking examples of their work and being interviewed by a panel of judges.

The apprentice awards were open to all apprentices who completed their training between January 1 and December 31, 2009.

Selection was based around each apprentice's attitude to their job and training, assignment marks and feedback from their employer and training liaison officer.

Mr Pollard completed his apprenticeship at Dunedin printing firm John Colours Ltd in February, 2009, and now works for screen printing, embroidery, promotional gifts and apparel company Promox.

Former supervisor Lindsay Baird praised Mr Pollard's dedication and skill to producing quality work throughout his apprenticeship.

"He had a passion for printing and really wanted to learn about the industry," Mr Baird said.

Not only did Mr Pollard study screen-printing during his apprenticeship, he also worked on flat-sheet printing, dye-cutting and fabric-printing, earning top marks throughout.

He was attracted to the printing industry through a long-standing interest in art and graphics.

"I was keen to work in an industry that was based around those things," Mr Pollard said.

"One of the great things about the job is in creating something and seeing other people enjoying it."

Rebecca Fraser, of Otago Daily Times Print in Alexandra, also came to the printing industry through a long-standing interest in art and graphics.

She was supervised through her apprenticeship by Megan Ireland.

Much of Miss Fraser's work is computer-based and involves the design, layout and preparation of brochures, flyers, calendars and so on.

"It goes to show how varied the printing industry is - there are so many different fields within it," Miss Fraser said.

Ambitious to move up within the industry, Miss Fraser is working to complete a PrintNZ diploma in management with an eye towards helping to train others in the future.

"I'm all for promoting apprenticeships - they are a good way to go."