Now open for online entries, the 2021 scheme will see successful applicants receive up to £1,500 towards the cost of training, professional accreditation or equipment to support their career development.
Applicants need to be aged 18 to 30, resident in the UK, working in the sector, and be clear on how the award will advance their career.
The charity has encouraged applicants to talk to their manager, mentor or HR department about any proposed training to ensure it is right for them and their career. Training can also cover personal development such as presentation, leadership, management, IT, problem-solving and persuasion skills.
Neil Lovell, chief executive of The Printing Charity, said the name change makes it clear that the awards “are not just about print but all the many aspects of our multifaceted sector”.
He told Printweek: “Increasingly, as the sector itself has evolved, we’re trying to make sure that people don’t discount themselves from the awards.
“If they’re working in print production they may feel that they are connected to that, but if they’re working in customer service they may not feel that they’re working in print because they’re dealing with a customer’s problems, or challenges, or placing orders. And if they’re working in publishing they may not think that that’s print.
“The simplicity of ‘rising stars’ makes it easy when we’re talking to organisations to ask them who in the team are their rising stars, and who are the people they think are doing great things. Immediately they can think about those individuals, whereas when it was called Print Futures Awards we spent half our time describing the awards rather than what they are meant to do.”
He added: “In the last couple of years we’ve seen a breadth of people from lots of different areas, but we’ve been working hard to get that, so we’re hoping the name will help us reach more people.”
There have been nearly 500 winners since the awards scheme first launched in 2003, including 44 last year, a lower number than previous years which Lovell said was due to applications taking place at the early height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Applications for 2021 close on 7 March, video interviews with shortlisted applicants and industry judges will be held in late March, and winners will be announced in April.
Winners would ordinarily be invited to a reception at the House of Lords in July, but due to coronavirus restrictions that could not happen last year. Lovell said a decision on whether a physical event will be held this year “will be made closer to the time, once we get through the next couple of months and when we know the numbers involved”.
Entries can be made at: www.theprintingcharity.org.uk/rising-star-awards/apply-now/
For further information, email: awards@theprintingcharity.org.uk
