University apprentice on target to make a top finish

A young apprentice at the University of St Andrews is in the running for a national award.

Callum Lockhart, 23, is among the final three entrants shortlisted for the Scottish Training Federation’s Apprentice of the Year. He will find out next week if he has won the top prize at a ceremony in Crieff Hydro on September 25.

Callum, from Lundin Links, has been working in the University’s Print Unit for more than three years since starting a modern digital apprenticeship in a scheme run in conjunction with Graphic Enterprise Scotland.

He has since completed his apprenticeship, achieving a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Digital Print Finishing and Digital Print Production at both levels two and three.

He is now a full staff member and works full-time in the University’s Print Unit as a Digital Printer-Finisher.

Alexander Reid, Print Manager in Corporate Communications, said Callum had been an asset to the unit and has a bright future in printing.

He said: “Callum has fully embraced the digital side and has really brought the energy and enthusiasm of youth to the department.

“It has been a learning curve for both the old generation and new generation of printing, with Callum opening our eyes to the future of printing as much as we’ve taught him.

“We took him on as an apprentice three years ago and he took to it like a duck to water.

“We believe we now have good succession planning for the future as a result.”

Mr Reid has acted as a mentor to Callum throughout his apprenticeship and even took responsibility for all his SVQ training.

He said: “We wanted to do it all in-house as we felt that was the best way for Callum to learn.”

Callum said: “I was definitely surprised when I heard I could win the award.

“I had been to college before I started here, but felt a bit lost in a class of 30 students with just one teacher; at St Andrews I’ve had the benefit of individual mentoring. Everyone here has been a great support.”

Graphic Enterprise Scotland, nominated Callum for the award which received 49 other nominations.

Note to Editors

For image please contact the press office.

Graphic Enterprise Scotland is a trade organisation for the print industry in Scotland.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona MacLeod on 01334 462108 / 0771 414 0559.
Ref: (apprentice 21/09/12)
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