A local rising star of the print industry has taken out the award for Apprentice of the Year.
Levi Lindsey of East Tamaki’s MCC Auckland, a commercial label printer, was named BJ Ball Papers Print Industry Apprentice of the Year at the 2024 Pride in Print Awards, staged in Wellington on July 12.
Starting his print career at age 25, Lindsey’s dedication to his trade and his skill have set him apart.
“Winning this accolade feels surreal,” he says.
“I always strive to put my best foot forward, but being recognised for my efforts is truly something special.”
Lindsey encourages school leavers interested in technology to consider the print industry, emphasising its hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and software.
He highlights the industry’s unique blend of technical skill and creativity, offering numerous opportunities for innovation and problem-solving.
“Doing a print apprenticeship means you’ll work in a supportive environment with experienced mentors, making it an ideal career for those passionate about tech and creative work.
“Print often operates behind the scenes, and it’s important to highlight this is a trade where school leavers can enter and succeed.”
Asked about his favourite aspects of his role, Lindsey underscores the blend of creativity and technology.
“Working with cutting-edge printing equipment and software presents both challenges and rewards.
“I value the collaborative spirit and the continuous learning and innovation opportunities inherent in this dynamic industry.”
PrintNZ chief executive Ruth Cobb says printing continues to be a trade that’s pushing the boundaries of new technology.
“Some people might say, ‘you don’t need skill to be a printer anymore’, but there’s a lot more to print than an on and off switch.
“If we’re going to continue to stretch the boundaries and ‘wow’ people who consume print, we need to continue to master the dynamics of inks, substrates, colour management and finishing, to say nothing of the complexities of the front end.”
Cobb says the finalists for Print Apprentice of the Year were all passionate about their work.
“Every one of them spoke with such technical detail about the work they brought along, highlighting again that print is a craft.
“And a point to note about this particular group of people, who all graduated last year, is they pretty much completed their entire apprenticeship under the auspices of Covid and the disruptions that brought to workplaces, families and businesses.”
Lindsey, whom Ruth acknowledged had missed his son’s fifth birthday to attend the awards ceremony, said he was “truly honoured” in his acceptance speech.
“I want to thank MCC Auckland, formerly known as Adhesif Labels, my colleagues and my mentors for their unwavering support and guidance.
“This achievement is a testament to their dedication and belief in me.
“To my fellow apprentices – keep striving for excellence and never stop learning. Together, we can shape the future of the industry.”
Lindsey was supported by industry training organisation Competenz during his four year apprenticeship.
Competenz Training Advisor Grant Alsop says Levi was engaged in his apprenticeship right from the start.
“Levi is a very worthy winner of the 2023 Apprentice of the Year.
“He took great pride in producing quality assignments and always provided good evidence to show his understanding of the printing process and his ability to print top quality work.
“We would often have some very good discussions about assignments he completed and his passion and hands on knowledge of label printing was evident.”
MCC Auckland technical manager Haydn Mitchell says he’s proud of Lindsey’s achievement.
“His proactive approach, combined with consistently delivering top-notch quality work and keeping that positive attitude, speaks volumes about his dedication and work ethic.
“I was not surprised at all to see Levi excel in his apprenticeship. With his commitment and upbeat demeanour, it was pretty much a given.”
