Four up-and-coming print apprentices were singled out at the event, which was hosted by ex-Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie, and sponsored by education foundation, Edge.

Alcan Packaging's Jonathon Straughton, an apprentice in flexographic printing, was highly commended in the category for Advanced Apprentice of the Year. Jonathan Wilkinson, an apprentice in printing & graphic communications, was also a finalist in this category.

Elsewhere, Charles Letts and Co's print finishing apprentices Scott Clark and Dayl Nimmo, a print apprentice from Mackay and Inglis, were both finalists for the Apprentice of the Year award.

The top honour of the evening went to Adam Snowden, a mechanical engineer at brick manufacturer Ibstock Brick, who was named Advanced Apprentice of the Year.

Terry Watts, chief executive of Proskills, said: "There is nothing more inspiring than to see bright new talent entering our industry as a result of the apprenticeship programme.

"We are all too aware of the challenge we face to address the skills gaps in our workforce.

"By implementing successful apprenticeship programmes, we can grow our own talent from within, so our employees have the skills they really need, as well as ensuring that the invaluable knowledge of experienced staff is kept within the business and passed on to future generations."