Over the past few months, I've been undergoing a process of applications and interviews for awards - I had been nominated for recognition of my work as a graphic design, pre-press apprentice at The Leader.
The FPLMA (Flexible Packaging & Label Manufacturers Association) supports the growth of the Australian and New Zealand Printing Industry, and highlights an award for Apprentice of the year.
The international apprentice of the year recipient wins a trip to visit printing companies across the United States and Europe.
On Thursday and Friday last week, I was invited to attend the annual two-day FPLMA Printing Industry forum held in Melbourne, which included many company representatives and CEOs from all around the world, including Europe, Japan, India, New Zealand and USA.
They spoke about lots of matters, including getting younger people involved in the industry. Having been one of the young apprentices attending, I was asked to comment on how to target young people and I mentioned how The Leader recently attended a careers day at Nuriootpa High School and I was there with The Leader management, Tony and Darren (Robinson), to chat to students about pre-press and see if they had any questions about the field.
It was a successful day with a few enquiries, and it helped get our name out there. Whilst attending the forum in Melbourne, I was fortunate to talk with a representative from a printing company in America, as well as another CEO from a European printing company too.
They asked about how I got into the industry and where I see my future in the industry and they were very supportive.
That was an incredible experience, just talking with people who are experts in their fields in other countries as well as getting my name out there and gaining the exposure! The Friday night was then followed by the FPLMA Awards dinner that was held at The Crown Palladium.
I attended the awards dinner with my partner. Here, I was considered a guest as I was one of the top 10 International Apprentices of the year for the Printing Industry. I was seated next to another pre-press apprentice from Brisbane, who was up for the same award, so it was the perfect opportunity to chat with her about what she does and the similarities and differences in our work.
Further into the night, we caught up with the other finalists and got to meet all of them and had a quick opportunity to chat about what we all do.
I then chatted with previous apprentices of the year and was able to learn about their trips to America. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in receiving first place and the trip to America, but it was still an incredible experience to be in the top 10 for an international printing industry award and having the chance to meet experts in the industry from all over Australia and the world.
