Lucky seven apprentices scoop PrintNZ Awards

100 New Zealand apprentices and trainees were in the running for this year's PrintNZ Training Apprentice Awards, but it was attitude and commitment that made finalists stand out.

The Apprentice of the Year finalists and top National Certificate Trainee were selected based upon their attitude to training and their job, assignment marks, workshop grades and information gathered from employers and PrintNZ training workplace assessors, competency assessors and training liaison officers.

These qualities earned Orlando Akaata, 22, of GEON Wellington, 2007 Binding & Finishing Apprentice of the Year. Winning this award now puts him in the running for the ultimate printing industry training award, Apprentice of the Year, along with five other branch award winners.

Akaata (pictured) says he was "shocked and surprised" to hear of his win. "I still can't believe it. It is awesome for me because I achieved something really great," he said.

"I enjoy working in the printing industry. The goal that I have set myself is just to work hard every day and do what needs to be done and when different opportunities arise or different positions come up, I will surely be ready for the challenge."

Having taken out their respective branch awards, the Apprentice of the Year finalists, along with the top National Certificate Trainee, will travel to Auckland to attend the Apprentice Awards Breakfast on 16 May 2008.  Later that evening they will attend the prestigious NZ Pride In Print Awards where the Apprentice of the Year will be announced live on stage.

Branch Award winners:

Binding & Finishing Award: sponsored by Print Finishers' Association
Orlando Akaata – GEON Wellington

Digital Processes for Print Award: sponsored by Natcoll Design Technology
Brendon Evans – Sealed Air (NZ), Hamilton

Paperboard Packaging Award: sponsored by NZ Paperboard Packaging Association
Brent Martin – Ryco Dies Ltd, Auckland

Reel-fed Award: sponsored by Newspaper Publishers' Association
Richard Hughes – APN Print, Wanganui

Screen/Dry Offset Award: sponsored by Blue Print Imaging Ltd
Martin Wilson – Tecpak Industries Ltd, Dunedin

Sheet-fed Award: sponsored by PrintNZ
Kieran Dale – Logick Print & Graphics Ltd, Auckland

Top National Certificate Trainee Award: sponsored by the EPMU
Vishal Maisuria – Sealed Air (NZ), Porirua