Christopher Dinnes, Craig Knight, Hazel Linden, and Kyle Clark were named the four winners of the awards on 29 September.
The awards, now in their seventh year, aim to represent the Scottish print community and highlight the profile of future leaders of the industry.
Garry Richmond, director of print association Print Scotland, said: “We continue to believe that the industry needs to employ more apprentices to sustain Scotland’s print sector. Our approach includes doing so by encouraging more apprentices from an increasingly diverse range of backgrounds.
“These awards recognise outstanding achievement amongst the young people who represent the next generation of our leaders of Scotland’s print sector.”
Susan Graham, president of Print Scotland, added: “The print industry in Scotland has a real future across a range of skillsets, and needs a constant flow of high-quality and motivated apprentices in even greater numbers, and from an increasingly diverse range of backgrounds, to fulfil its potential.”
Hazel Linden, joint winner of the Press Apprentices of the Year award and apprentice at J Thomson Colour Printers in Glasgow, explored several career options, including acting and working in a law firm, before settling into her printing role, where she operates a Koenig & Bauer litho press.
She said: “Seeing my print work in real life settings like a banner, poster or as a restaurant menu, for example, gives you a real sense of pride and I would recommend an apprenticeship to others, though it depends on the individual as you need an open mind.
“I never thought I would work in a printing plant, but I was willing to give it a go and really love it. I really like the job and the people I work with, though I am the only female in the team, which I found rather surprising.”
Christopher Dinnes, Overall Apprentice of the Year, works at commercial printer Captivate Creative in Livingston, which specialises in short-run digital and wide-format printing.
He said he had never realised how much variety there can be in print.
“I now want to progress my skills and get to the point where the work produced is as good as it can be.
“In five years, hopefully, I would like to be in a management position, leading other employees and apprentices and sharing opportunities with other young people like me.”
The winners were:
- Overall Apprentice of the Year – Christopher Dinnes, Captivate Creative, Livingston
- Post Press Apprentice of the Year - Craig Knight, FLB Group, Dalkeith
- Press Apprentice of the Year – Hazel Linden (joint award), J Thomson Colour Printers, Glasgow
- Press Apprentice of the Year – Kyle Clark (joint award), J Thomson Colour Printers, Glasgow
