APN Print winner of PrintNZ’s Company Training Award

APN Print New Zealand media release (June 29, 2012)

APN PRINT WINS INAUGURAL TRAINING AWARD

APN Print New Zealand has been named the inaugural winner of PrintNZ’s Company Training Award.

Presented by PrintNZ chief executive Joan Grace in a ceremony at the Heritage Hotel last night, the award recognises the dedicated training processes and culture the company has put in place over recent years, said APN Print general manager Dan Blackbourn.

“We are looking after our apprentices, giving them a chance to learn as much about the trade as possible and using the professionals we have within our organisation as strong mentors,” he said.

“We have some fantastic tradespeople who are willing to pass their knowledge on and some fantastic apprentices who are able to take that information onboard and put it to use everyday.”

Mr Blackbourn explained that APN Print New Zealand’s approach to training sees its apprentices put through a 26-week revolving training programme.

“We give them every exposure to all parts of their trade and other trades. For instance at Ellerslie, our apprentices would not only learn how to print, they would also get exposure to the mechanical, electrical and pre-press sides of the business.”

Mr Blackbourn said having also produced two PrintNZ Apprentices of the Year in the past five years, APN Print New Zealand was reaping the rewards of training culture.

“We get the results every day when the apprentices come to work. But not only that, if our people go on to bigger and better things, there is no doubt it will be due to the fundamental training we are giving them.”

APN Print group trainer Phil Ost was also named one of three finalists in the PrintNZ Workplace Trainer Award.

“Phil is a catalyst for the talented tradespeople we have. He has taken on the responsibility of being a mentor for all of our apprentices and he regularly travels around our regional sites to ensure the onsite trainers and apprentices receive the full benefit of what we have to offer as a company.”

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