MAR 2008 - Richard Swaps Uniform for Success in Print
Richard Hughes’ life took a dramatic turn after he came out of the Royal Navy, swapping a uniform for “civvy street”.
With nothing obviously beckoning as a career path in the UK, he decided to take a chance on an entirely new life in New Zealand, and retrain with a printing apprenticeship working for APN Print in Wanganui.
Now, four years later, that gamble has paid off handsomely, with Richard being chosen as PrintNZ Training reel fed apprentice of the year for New Zealand. Moreover, he is now in the running for the overall print apprentice of the year award in any category.
Yet looking back, Richard recognises he was taking a chance to swap life in North Wales for a totally new life in the North Island.
“I heard on the grapevine there was an opportunity at Wanganui so I thought I would get my foot in the door. However I thought it was a fitter’s or mechanical job, which is what I was trained in.
“Instead, it was a printing apprenticeship. But I took the chance and have never looked back.”
He began his apprenticeship in January 2004 and over the next three and a half years completed a structured training including block release courses, practical and competency tests and on-the-job assessments.
So well did he do that PrintNZ Training chose him for the short-list for its annual reel fed apprenticeship award, where he came up against other apprentices from companies such as Wedderburn Scales, Aperio Group, Gravure Packaging, Business Media Press and Huhtamaki Packaging Worldwide before the field was narrowed down to him and three other finalists from Wellington and Christchurch.
But Richard did not know how he had fared until his boss, Wanganui plant manager Adam Kerse, sprung a surprise.
“Adam put on a morning tea and announced he had received the call to say I had won the award.
“I am absolutely rapt but in truth I never thought about awards when I started off. I just focused on doing the apprenticeship well and I gave it my all.”
As a Welshman in rugby-mad New Zealand, Richard has got used to the rugby banter that he has to take – “There is always a few comments being made but it’s all in good fun. Anyway, Wales are flying at the moment so I’m quite happy!”
Overall, the award has capped off an incredible four years since he took the chance to move to NZ, and he feels it has paid off in all respects – “Coming here is the best thing that ever happened to me,” he says.
Adam Kerse paid tribute to Richard’s achievement, saying it did two things for APN Print – “It confirms our training systems and that out trainers are providing a quality education. And it offers a challenge to other coldset reel fed apprentices to become the best in their field.
“The diversity of a multinational work force is great for the team and adds real interest to the press room.
“It is great to see an apprentice take the level of interest in resolving press and quality issue as Richard does.”
APN Print New Zealand general operations manager Dan Blackbourn is to visit the Wanganui plant to present a gift to Richard on behalf of the company, recognising his achievement.
Richard will know soon how he fares in the overall PrintNZ Training apprenticeship award, when he competes against apprentices from other print fields including pre-press and graphic arts.
The winner will be announced at the NZ Pride In Print Awards in Auckland on May 16.
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