Machinist apprentice scores LIA NSW award
Print machinist apprentice, Scott Mohammed, of Sony DADC wins NSW LIA/Heidelberg graduate of the year.
The married 34-year-old apprentice was the lone print machinist, up against six other hopefuls vying for the top prize at LIA’s NSW dinner at the Sydney Rowing Club in Abbotsford.
Mohammed collected the award from Richard Timson, general manager of northern region sales at Heidelberg, principal sponsor of the award. He will now join 2010 NSW winner Dayane Knox to compete with LIA graduate winners from other states for the biennial $15,000 GAMAA-LIA national graduate scholarship prize.
He thanked the LIA and Heidelberg for the honour and Sony DADC for providing him with the opportunity “especially Ashley Garment, my supervisor and training coordinator who supported me through the apprenticeship, and head printer Simon Studdert who taught me a lot and put up with my many questions.”
Pictured: Scott Mohammed (right) receiving his award from Heidelberg's Richard Timson (left).
Mohammed started with Sony DADC as a print offsider in May 2000, advancing to print machinist apprentice in 2008. “I came into the industry with the intention of getting an apprenticeship in printing,” he said, after 14 years within the print industry.
He says the LIA/Heidelberg graduate award is a good certificate to have in a resume, as it is a widely recognized award especially throughout the industry. “This is a definite feather in the cap and a good stepping-stone for the future.
“Raising a family, working and studying at the same time is not easy, it takes a lot of effort and you need the support of family and work colleagues. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of good people around me to make things easier,” he said.
Prior to the graduate awards dinner, LIA held its annual general meeting to vote on the new committee. David Wells was appointed the new president, replacing Ray Berwick after three years.
LIA’s new vice president, Denise Thompson was very surprised and pleased with the result.