Print education programme wins political praise

Laura Whitehouse has won PrintIT's 'Overall Winner' award.

The overall winning entry of PrintIT! was selected by a panel of judges from the eight category winners, which were singled out from the 25,000 students who took part this year.

Whitehouse, who is a student from Beauchamp College in Oadby, Leicestershire, UK, won a portable Macbook Air laptop.

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, sent his congratulations to all the winners of PrintIT! 2008-2009 awards and praised PrintIT! for its engagement with young people and industry.

He says: "It is a fantastic achievement to get so many young people involved in an initiative like this.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to send my congratulations to all of the winners of this year's PrintIT! competition and to wish you the very best for your future studies and careers.

The Prime Minister continues: "I believe it is vitally important that young people get high quality work-related learning to equip them with the skills they will need as they step out into the wider world.

So once again, well done to all of you on your success - I have no doubt that you will go on to achieve great things.

Commenting on Laura Whitehouse's achievements, which also included category winner for 'Best Overall Presentation'.

Paul Evans, project director for PrintIT! says: "Laura's entry really stood out from all the rest, in particular regarding the skill and imagination she employed across the whole range of tasks set during the course.

Her entire workbook was professionally presented and demonstrated a clear understanding of the printing processes involved in creating each of her designs.

Her work was both thoughtfully and expressively delivered throughout her coursework, while still maintaining a strong brand identity for The Fairtrade Foundation.

Evans continues: "Every year we have seen a rise in the standard of entries, and this year has been no exception.

The judging panel were all highly impressed with the amount of enthusiasm, innovation and creative talent displayed through all of the workbooks received.

As part of the curriculum-based PrintIT! course, students were challenged to create a print-based campaign to promote Fairtrade products in cafes.

Aiming to promote the many varied and stimulating career paths available within the print industry, this year the competition was extended to include year nine students (aged 13-14) as well as year 10 and year 11 students (aged 14-16) studying for their GCSEs in product design and graphic products.

Martyn Elmy, chairman of PrintIT! and director of RW Coatings, says: "At a time when we as an industry need to focus on ensuring a prosperous and bright future for UK Print plc, PrintIT! is both an exciting and important initiative.

Through this scheme we are potentially moulding a skilled, young workforce who will keep our industry competitive in times to come.

This year, commercial digital and litho print company MPG Impressions, in Chessington, Surrey, was awarded 'Best Industry Twinner', for its commitment to its local twinned school and the enthusiasm it demonstrated in helping the teacher deliver the PrintIT! course to the students in the classroom.

Terry Watts, chief executive of Proskills, and member of the final judging panel adds: "The ceremony today and the competition as a whole, has once again been a resounding success.

It is always inspirational to see so many key industry players come together to support a common cause, and I would like to thank them once again for their continued commitment to PrintIT!.

Watts comments: "It is my firm hope that some of these students will have been inspired enough to consider a future career in print, apply for a print-related course or even consider an apprenticeship in the industry.

If only a small amount of the creative and enthusiastic talent we have seen this year continues along the career path into print, we will be ensuring an exciting future for British Print.

All of the eight category winning students were presented with a digital camera with their schools being given print-related equipment for their design and technology departments.

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