To be named a 2022 Rising Star and receive funding of up to £1,500, applicants need to be aged 18 to 30, working in the industry, and demonstrate how the funding will enhance their skills and advance their career. Funding can be used to boost soft and professional skills from presentation, leadership, and resilience training to professional accreditation, mentoring, or equipment.

Neil Lovell, chief executive of The Printing Charity, said: “Our awards are now the largest single awards programme in our sector celebrating young talent showing great potential. It’s always exciting to see applicants’ professionalism, drive, and passion to succeed in the sector.

“We want applicants to think carefully about how the potential funding will help them and encourage them to talk to their manager or mentor before applying so that they consider how to get the most out of an award.

“We’re also keen for employers to talk to the stars in their team and encourage them to apply. The funding, though, does not replace or supplement employers’ staff training costs for core skills.”

The Rising Star Awards are sponsored by Unite the Union’s Graphical, Paper, Media, and IT Sector. Louisa Bull, national officer at Unite the Union, said: “Our commitment to lifelong learning is a natural fit with these awards, inspiring the sector’s new generation to develop their skills to achieve their ambitions.”

Applications are now open at: www.theprintingcharity.org.uk/supporting-people/rising-star-awards/application-2022/.

They will close on 3 May 2022 and virtual interviews with those shortlisted will be held in late May, with winners receiving their awards at a London event in July.

For further information, email: awards@theprintingcharity.org.uk.

The scheme was previously called the Print Futures Awards prior to a rebrand last year that Lovell said was made to make it clear that the awards “are not just about print but all the many aspects of our multifaceted sector”.