From Trouble to Top Apprentice

Sam Completes Journey from From Trouble to Top Apprentice

Hamilton’s Sam Donaldson completed a journey from being a bit of a problem at school, to being New Zealand’s top printing apprentice when he was named 2008 Apprentice of the Year in Wellington last night

Sam was announced as the winner in front of over 600 people at the Pride In Print Awards at the Wellington Convention Centre.

Hailing from the screen-printing sector of the industry – he works for Screen Printing Solutions in Hamilton -- he beat five other top apprentices from diverse sectors including binding and finishing, digital, paperboard packaging, reel-fed and sheet-fed to take the award.

Accepting his award, Sam said that at school he had problems with dyslexia, and got into a little trouble, but the journey to national recognition began through marital arts and his relationship with his instructor, Steve Wallace.

“Steve saw how I applied myself to that and how I was dedicated. Then he offered me a job with his company and expected me to show the same dedication to that. I fell in love with the job and have never looked back,” he said.

“This shows what a person can achieve. You have to believe in yourself. With that belief, and the support of others, you can reach the top.”

Sam said he is really grateful to the people who have helped him achieve. “The amazing support and encouragement from the team that I work with has really helped me during my training and to win this award.”

The award caps a fantastic year for Sam in which he was initially chosen as PrintNZ Training screen-printing apprentice of the year for New Zealand. He came up against other apprentices from companies such as Rainbow Print Group, PMP Print, Amcor Kiwi Packaging Case and Jenkins Group Ltd.

Screen Printing Solutions manager Steve Wallace was on stage with Sam as he accepted the award.

“Sam’s attitude is a credit to him as he is constantly looking for ways to inspire and motivate his team”, said Steve. Asked if he had any problems being both a boss and a martial arts instructor to Sam he said: “Not at all – we spend 70 hours a week together and we get along really well.

“Sam has been promoted to production manager because of the great production times that he achieves and keeps beating. His planning is critical to our company’s success and he does incredibly in this area, not only meeting his own demands but setting goals and incentives for the other staff to aim towards and achieve.

“I couldn’t ask for a better employee.”

Announcing the awards, PrintNZ chief executive Joan Grace said that the finalists had shown a huge commitment not only towards their companies and their workmates, but to the learning process as well.

“PrintNZ is committed to a process of achievement for the future, and these apprentices represent the future of the industry,” she said.

Screen Printing Solutions print for the clothing trade and specialise in national events and corporate branding. The company uses the latest world-leading technology to ensure superior quality prints.

The Print Apprentice of the Year Award is generously sponsored by industry suppliers Agfa, CPI Graphics and Kodak.

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