If APN Print Ellerslie apprentice Angelo Gedult (24) wins the New Zealand print apprentice of the year title in June, he will be the group’s second success in the competition. The Pride In Print competition follows an earlier success when the former sheetfed printer was named reel-fed printer of the year award by PrintNZ Training. APN Print NZ general manager of operations Dan Blackbourn says the company is thrilled by the heights achieved by its apprentices: “To see Angelo achieve this recognition is an endorsement of our internal efforts to enhance the training of our apprentices, alongside the work done by PrintNZ Training.” With Richard Hughes from APN Print Wanganui having won the top prize in 2008, and Gedult now bidding to replicate his success, Blackbourn says “it’s a fantastic reward for the time and commitment put into realising the potential of our staff.” Gedult moved to NZ from Cape Town in 2004, and started working with a sheetfed company before taking the opportunity to boost earnings working Sundays at Ellerslie. Restarting his apprenticeship was a tough decision: “It was a great opportunity, but basically I had to start all over again,” he says. Phil Ost, APN Print Ellerslie trainer, Russell Wieck, press manager APN Print Ellerslie, Dean Everett, plant manager, and supervisors, Chris Koria and Dave Lee were particularly instrumental in piloting him through the Ellerslie apprentice training scheme. As a reward for achieving the reel fed prize, Angelo will spend a week completing a leadership course at Outward Bound in May. Meanwhile he is continuing to expand his integration into the New Zealand way of life, enjoying weightlifting and swimming and also registering to help with Red Cross work. The awards are announced at the 2010 Pride In Print Awards Night on June 18 at Sky City Auckland.