News

Now presented as the PRINT FUTURES AWARDS, the 2009 programme will assist young people in funding their education and training for a career in the printing and graphic arts industries. Awards of £2500 each are available to young people aged 16-30 who are resident in the UK. Applications are made in writing on official application forms and a shortlist is invited for interview. The closing date for entries is April 30 2009. Interviews will be in May/June and the awards presented in July.

Winners in the past four years have included students on established print and print management courses, graphic design students, employees of family owned print businesses, prepress specialists, pressroom managers and operators, PhD students and technicians from the consumables sector and publishing print production staff.

Applications may also be made from those undergoing company training. Successful applicants in this category will receive an award of £1250 on condition that the company concerned will fund an equal sum in 2009/2010.

Tony Burke, Unite AGS, said: "Unite has made a long term commitment to the project and we are proud to be associated with it. At this time it is important to help young people coming into the print and graphical industry and working with the PCC and BPIF is a good way to help."

Mike Hopkins, BPIF Director, says: "We are delighted to launch this scholarship scheme for the sixth year. In these tough economic times for our industry we expect the Awards to be of increased interest, particularly for young people seeking to get a foothold on a career in print and the graphic arts."

http://www.amicustheunion.org/default.aspx?page=9930