Now in their fourteenth year, the Rising Star Awards celebrate and support outstanding young people aged 18 to 30 across the print, paper, packaging, publishing and graphics industries. Each year, these awards help talented professionals access the training and development they need to progress in their careers.
As we mark International Youth Day 2025, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of this year’s Rising Star Award winners. Their dedication, creativity and energy are great positives for the future of the industry. This global awareness day is a moment to recognise the talent ambition and fresh thinking that people at the start of their careers, like our Rising Stars, bring to every part of our sector.
At the Printing Charity, through the Rising Star Awards we are committed to supporting young professionals to reach their potential. Designed to support people aged 18 to 30 working in print and related industries, the awards provide funding for training and development to help recipients progress their careers with confidence.
Emily White, Marketing Executive at GreenPaper Publishing told us: “Being a Rising Star has boosted my confidence and opened doors to networking and learning that make me feel ever more part of this exciting industry.”
This year, 78 young professionals were named Rising Stars, with over £106,000 in funding going towards 148 training courses. The variety of development pathways taken reflects the diversity of roles across the sector from creative and technical skills to leadership and communication training.
Rhianna Clarke, Editorial Assistant at Ink & Paper Books. said: “Receiving this award has made me feel truly supported. It’s not just about the funding – it’s about the encouragement, and the sense that there’s a community behind me.”
International Youth Day is about recognising the contribution young people make to society, and to sectors like ours that are evolving rapidly.
Alex Jordan, Production Assistant at BrightPrint Co Ltd, shared: “This award has helped me develop the technical skills I need to lead digital projects confidently, and shown me that my passion for print really matters.”
Our support through the Rising Star Awards isn’t just financial, it’s practical, emotional and aspirational. By helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed, we’re proud to invest in the long-term health of the industry.
If you’re early in your career and working in or around print, paper, packaging, graphics or publishing, now is the time to get involved.
Visit our website to learn more about the Rising Star Awards, and sign up to our newsletter for updates: https://www.theprintingcharity.org.uk/newsletter/ Plus, keep an eye out for upcoming webinars designed to support potential applicants.