The Printing Charity is on the look out for young people who are keen to develop their ‘softer skills’ as the 2020 Print Futures Awards approach.
‘Although the sector offers an amazing range of job roles encompassing everything from the practical and creative to the highly technical and complex, it is often recognised that it needs to promote itself better to inspire more young people to take it seriously as a career choice,’ said the charity’s chief executive, Neil Lovell.
One of the ways The Printing Charity is helping to do this is through its annual Print Futures Awards for rising stars. Now the sector’s largest single awards programme for young people, there were 91 winners last year representing the diverse range of roles and careers within the sector. For the first time, the judging process went to Leeds, in addition to London, representing the Awards’ national reach.
Every year, the charity asks businesses to encourage their own rising stars to apply for the opportunity to receive a Print Futures Award, which includes up to £1500 to support their development by helping to fund relevant UK training courses. The grants cannot be used to pay for employers’ own staff training costs.
‘This year the charity particularly wants to hear from people who are keen to develop the softer skills that are often overlooked but which can make a real difference to their development, such as public speaking, team leadership, and handling difficult conversations in the workplace,’ Mr Lovell continued.
To be eligible for the awards applicants need to be resident in the UK and aged 18 to 30 at the time they apply. Entrants apply online where they give details of the training they want to do, costs, and timings. Successful applicants will be invited to interview in June when they will have the opportunity to explain more about the support they have requested and why it will help them.
