The trade association, representing Scotland’s graphic communications industry held its second Apprentice Awards on the 21st of April and presented seven award categories, with the overall apprentice of the year named as Post Press / Finishing apprentice Ross Docherty of Bell & Bain Ltd, Glasgow. Print Scotland Director Garry Richmond said Ross won the top prize for “his overall performance, enthusiasm and the hard work he had put in over the past year” Stephen Docherty, the President of Print Scotland and Ross’s father was delighted to present the top prize as a proud father and Managing Director of Bell & Bain Ltd. Sponsoring the awards were HP, who provided tablets as prizes, Antalis and Muller Martini who both provided gift cards and Maclay Murray and Spens one of Scotland’s top legal firms provided sponsorship to the overall event.

Janes Rixon, Business Development Manager, HP Large Format Printing and David McGinlay Muller Martini sales manager for northern Europe both attended and presented prizes. Richmond said:

It was great to see such a fantastic turn out in support of our young apprentices. All the employers whose apprentices were on the shortlist were there. It was a great atmosphere and the employers were delighted that their apprentices were recognised. The apprentices left inspired to be on the winning list for nest year

David McGinlay was an apprentice that came through the Glasgow College of Building and Printing and said he felt it was an honour to take part in such an important event, adding:

The competition for the seven awards was tough this year. It was quite encouraging to see quality of the young people coming through. The industry as a whole has a problem attracting young people but there’s a future in this industry if you just keep your head down and work hard.

Jane Rixon, who is also a Print Scotland non-executive director representing printing technology manufacturing, said:

I thought the awards were very inspiring this year and it was great to see the development of young people within our industry.The day was a celebration of learning within our industry and I was proud to be associated with the apprenticeship scheme and the awards themselves on behalf of HP.

Scottish print apprenticeships are administered by GES and fully provided in the workplace.

Print Scotland Director Garry Richmond is concerned about future skills shortage and said:

Our industry is facing a sustainability issue through the lack of skilled employees for the future. I appreciate that it can be difficult for employers to sometimes think outside of the pressure of current day to day business. However if we do not start thinking 10 years ahead for skilled labour supply and bring on new apprentices we will really struggle to fill the skills gap. I would urge all employers to take on an apprentice wherever possible.

The other winners this year were:

Gordon Smith NSD International Level 2 Pre Press / Digital Print

Hayden Edgar Alba Printers – Level 2 Press / Lithography

Craig Robertson J Thomson Colour Print – Level 2 Post Press / Print Finshing

Ross McGruer NHS – Level 3 Pre Press / Digital Print

Scott Stockman Tradeprint, – Dundee Level 3 Press / Lithography

Sean Gillan Bell & Bain Ltd – Level 3 2 Post Press / Print Finishing