The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards open

Print Solutions Packaging Solutions

Application to the Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards open today (2 March 2026).

Now in their 17th year, the awards provide people progressing a career in print, paper, packaging, graphics or publishing with the opportunity to invest in training and development to build skills and capabilities to shine in their career.

Award winners receive up to £1500 in funding, which does not have to be repaid, to undertake the right training and development to continue the momentum of their career trajectory. This year, the awards are open for people aged 18 to 35, with the extended age range designed to support those who have made a career pivot to join the sector, or who are looking to upskill to prepare for changing professional growth opportunities.

Applicants can work within any position in the print sector.

Last year saw 78 winners with roles as diverse as CAD programmer, electrical engineer, graphic designer, pre-press operator, print finisher, production planner, sign maker and transport and logistics coordinator.

The variety of courses funded through the awards reflected this, with 148 courses supported overall, a 41% increase on 2024.

The courses covered personal development, boosting people’s ability to thrive in today’s workplaces; and leadership and management, requested by winners looking to lead in multiple disciplines. Core skills courses helped winners broaden their role related capabilities; and industry recognised qualifications from professional bodies were chosen by a significant number of winners seeking recognisable accreditations to help with career development.

Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell commented, ‘Each year, the Rising Star Awards celebrates exceptional individuals shaping their careers in an industry we are proud to represent. As our flagship programme, the Rising Stars attracts and supports emerging talent, highlighting the breadth of opportunity print offers and the many paths to success within our sector.’

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