He appeared on stage at the 2019 Printweek Awards when he collected Resource’s trophy for SME of the Year

What did you study, and did you have a particular career in mind?

I studied aircraft engineering at college, but my course was cancelled mid-way through, so it made me re-evaluate what I wanted to do

Did you know anything about print before working in it?

No, I didn’t understand the technical part or the finishing so it’s been a great source of learning

What does your current role entail?

I am an apprentice digital printer and I work mostly on the Indigo press, which I really enjoy. I was lucky enough to be sent on the Level 1 Printer course to gain my qualification and this has helped me develop my knowledge and skills further

What’s the most enjoyable or interesting thing about it?

The technical and maintenance part is really interesting as I like to see beneath the bonnet and understand how everything ticks. My course helped with this in practical terms, so I know I am capable of understanding when things go wrong and what to do to fix them

Do you have an ideal career path mapped out?

Not as yet, but I feel my confidence has increased hugely while working in such an inclusive company, we are supported to develop in whatever way we want to so I am excited about the future and the opportunities at Resource

What would be your dream job (print related)?

To manage my own team and eventually own my own printing company

What would be your dream job (not print related)?

Professional footballer

What’s top of your playlist at the moment?

Nothing you will have heard of!

What has surprised you most about working in the printing industry?

Just how involved it is: processes, compliance, disciplines and knowledge

What could the printing industry be doing more of to entice millennials into print?

Apprenticeships are a great way to get young people involved in a trade which is now evolving rather than dying out, so it is an exciting time for young people to be involved. Showcasing print materials and the messages these can present in a tangible way rather than digitally online would also capture interest and demonstrate to the younger generation that we can have a skill which will be around in the future generations. More can be done to support this as it is lacking at the minute and I was lucky to be where I was when I was, otherwise, I could have missed the great opportunity I have

If you ruled the world...?

I would be sat in a luxury villa somewhere in the Caribbean – all to play for !!