Print Scotland, the trade association and voice of Scotland’s graphic communication industry, has held its third Annual Scottish Print Apprentice of the Year Award. The occasion is part of its mission to represent the Scottish print community and to highlight the profile of future leaders of the industry.

Garry Richmond, Director of Print Scotland, said: “The sterling efforts of these young apprentices in getting to grips with the challenges of a rewarding career in print and print finishing are rightly rewarded today.

“Their family and friends can be very proud of their achievements. The print industry in Scotland is demonstrating slow but steady signs of growth year-on-year, and nowhere shows this more than in apprenticeships. Already this year our members have taken on 3 more apprentices than last year.”

The winners were:

• Overall Apprentice of Year – Robert Scott, Richardson & Sons (based in Hawick)
• Level 2 Post Press – James McCredie, Bell & Bain (Glasgow)
• Level 2 Press – James Taylor, Bell & Bain (Glasgow)
• Level 3 Pre Press – William Little, Service Graphics (Glasgow)
• Level 3 Post Press – Daniel Johnstone, Tradeprint (Dundee)
• Level 3 Press – Martin Maclean, Love & Humphries (Port Glasgow)

The awards event was well attended and included family and friends of the winners. Kevin Creechan, President of Print Scotland, congratulated the winners while James Vallance, Apprentice Manager, offered an insight into the progress of each apprentice.

Print Scotland provides training for Modern Apprentices through the Scottish Training Scheme, which provides a grant from the Scottish Government to cover the cost of the training. It also provides a range of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) as well as Modern Apprenticeship (MA) certification.

Mr Richmond concluded the evening with a note of cautious optimism for the print industry: “Our members, and the industry as a whole, faces a significant succession gap in the next ten years, as highly-skilled and knowledgeable printers set on retiring are not being replaced in sufficient volume with new blood.

“The print industry in Scotland needs a constant flow of apprentices to prevent that, and the high-calibre young people we have celebrated this evening, in even greater numbers, is very much what our industry needs.”

Details about each winner:

Robert Scott, 21 and born in Hawick, won the Overall Apprentice of the Year award. Robert is a Digital Artwork Operator for Richardson and Sons of Hawick.

Robert is part of the proud Hawick piping tradition, and competes in European piping competitions. He hopes to play at the Tartan Parade in New York next year. In addition to his, he is a keen actor with the local Hawick theatre and has his own photography business.

James McCredie, aged 22 and a Glasgow native, won the Level 2 Post Press award. This relates to the post pressing work of a printer, namely mechanised print finishing.

James is a Post Press operator for Bell & Bain, one of the largest and oldest independent UK book, journal printers & binders. James is an ex-Boys Brigade officer, and spends his spare time in the dojo, practicing karate.

James Taylor, 22 and born in Glasgow, took home the award for Level 2 Press Apprentice of the Year. Press is the category covering the physical printing, be it lithographic or flexographic.

James is a Lithographic Press operator for Bell & Bain, one of the largest and oldest independent UK book, journal printers & binders. A keen footballer and keep fit enthusiast, James spends his time off the pitch supporting his beloved Glasgow Rangers or socialising with friends.

William Little, 21 years old and born in Glasgow, won the award for Level 3 Pre-Press Apprentice of the Year. This was awarded for the pre-printing aspects of the profession, such as graphic design, digital print and origination.

William works as a Graphic Installer for Service Graphics of Glasgow. In his spare time, he enjoys amateur football and spending time with his friends. He is an avid consumer of most brands of music, and has a developing fondness for tattoos and body art.

Daniel Johnstone, aged 24 and born in Dundee, won the Level 3 Post Press Apprentice of the Year for his work in the post pressing work of a printer, namely mechanised print finishing.

Daniel works as a Post Press operator for Tradeprint, the UK trade printing reseller service. When not working, he is a keen runner and enjoys all aspects of keeping fit. He is an enthusiastic amateur footballer, playing for his local Sunday League.

Martin Maclean, 20, and born in Greenock, took home the award for Level 3 Press Apprentice of the Year. Press is the category covering the physical printing, be it lithographic or flexographic.

Martin works as a Lithographic and Digital Press operator for Love & Humphries of Port Glasgow. In his spare time he loves a round of golf on the local course, cycling, and following his local team, Greenock Morton FC.