Vanessa Hooton
A Matamata print firm has kept up a proud tradition with a category win in the apprentice of the year awards.
Tainui Press Design & Print employee Vanessa Hooton won the PrintNZ Digital Apprentice award, which sees her in the running for the overall Print Apprentice of the Year title, along with four other category winners.
Managing director Dale Ertel said it is the fourth time apprentices with the company have achieved national honours in the past 20 years, with one going on to win the overall award.
“We are delighted that our staff member Vanessa Hooton has been announced as one of the category winners,” he said. “Vanessa is a very determined young lady with a real passion for the printing industry.”
Hooton gained an insight into the sector while at high school through a once-a-week typesetting placement at a local newspaper, and has enjoyed a rapid evolution in the five years since.
“I remember knowing next to nothing about the print industry and graphic design, but after the first few weeks of my work placement, I knew this was something that I wanted to do,” she said.
“The diversity of the print industry was attractive and the fact that each day was something different, with new things to learn and obstacles to overcome. I loved the chance to be creative and expand my knowledge.”
She says making the top five has reflected her determination to match or exceed her predecessors at the firm. “It is a huge accomplishment that I am so proud to share with everyone in my workplace,” she said. “I always strive to do the best I can.
“It is a rewarding and exciting feeling to be acknowledged in this amazing industry.”
She will go on to the NZPrint Pride in Print Awards, normally held in May but postponed this year.
