Winning a Rising Star Award makes a real difference to print industry careers.
Here, three of our brilliant 2024 winners, Carys Vickers, Isabel Shanahan and Ronan McKechnie, share more details on their motivation for entering the Awards, how they went about it, and the impact it’s had on them.
Carys Vickers – A Journey to Confidence and Career Growth
“Let your hopes and excitement about what’s next guide you through the process.”
Carys Vickers recently became a winner of the 2024 Printing Charity Rising Star Award, an achievement that marks a turning point in her career. Carys’s path to the award wasn’t straightforward, and her story speaks to the importance of self-discovery, persistence, and stepping outside of comfort zones. Her award has provided the opportunity for her to focus on tailored training that will help her grow both professionally and personally.
Taking the First Step
What inspired you to apply for a Rising Star Award?
“When my team first suggested I apply, I dismissed it. I didn’t yet know myself or the industry well enough to see where I wanted to go, and I didn’t see myself as the type of driven person who could win something like this.
It took a couple of years of learning, growing, and trying different things before I felt more comfortable in my work. Slowly, I started to dream about what my future career could look like. After such a long period of uncertainty, I finally felt able to plan ahead, and applying for the Rising Star Award felt like a step towards building that future. It was also a way to challenge myself and push beyond my comfort zone.”
Choosing the Right Training
What training did you choose?
“I chose three courses: a locally-based leadership and management course, a CIM course in Planning and Optimising Marketing Campaigns, and an Open University module on digital marketing content creation.”
Aiming for Career Progression
How do you hope the training you chose will support your career progression?
“These courses will fill some of the gaps in my skills and knowledge, allowing me to move into higher-level roles. They’ll also help me specialise in marketing, after having worked broadly across different areas.
But what I’m most excited about is the confidence I hope to gain. By learning more about the foundational principles behind my work, I’ll feel more equipped to take on new responsibilities and challenges. It’ll also help me take more ownership of what I do – and hopefully, keep that imposter syndrome at bay!”
Reflecting on the Win
How do you feel now you’re a winner?
“I still can’t quite believe it! It’s been a huge confidence boost, and I’m so grateful for the recognition and support.
I’m particularly proud when I think back to how I used to feel – totally intimidated by career planning and unsure if I’d ever find a path that suited me. Winning this award is a reminder to keep pushing boundaries and trying new things.”
Advice for Future Applicants
Do you have a message for anyone thinking about applying for next year’s awards?
“Don’t count yourself out just because you don’t have everything figured out, or because you don’t feel like the ‘right type’ of person. Be yourself – I know it sounds cliched, but let your hopes and excitement about what’s next guide you through the process. Even if you don’t win, the thinking and discussions you’ll have around the application will be valuable, and you might learn something new about yourself along the way.”
Carys’s journey to becoming a 2024 Printing Charity Rising Star highlights how taking time to discover your path can lead to incredible opportunities. Her decision to pursue tailored training shows how important it is to continually grow and build confidence, and her story serves as a reminder that you don’t need to have all the answers to take that next step in your career.
Isabel Shanahan – A Rising Star in Graphic and Exhibition Design
“Anyone could benefit from the award.”
Isabel Shanahan, a Mac Operator at ImageCo, has recently been recognised as a 2024 Printing Charity Rising Star. This award has given her the opportunity to invest in her professional growth through specialised training. She chose to focus on a Graphic Design course and an Exhibition Design and Delivery course, both of which will provide her with the essential skills to move forward in her career.
The Journey to Becoming a Rising Star
What inspired you to apply for a Rising Star Award?
“I first heard about the Rising Star Awards at a FESPA Next Generation training day back in 2022. After that, I did some research on The Printing Charity’s website and read testimonials from past winners about how they’d used their awards to progress in their careers. I realised an award could really benefit me, so I applied – not just once, but twice!”
How Training Supports Career Progression
How do you hope that the training you chose will support your career progression?
“I think these courses will really help me improve my skills and knowledge, especially around Graphic Design and Exhibitions. Education was the main priority for me when choosing the courses because I believe it’s what will drive my career forward. I’d like to become more confident in developing ideas and producing strong design concepts. Plus, the courses will help me build a portfolio that I can refer to whenever I need some inspiration.”
Advice for Future Applicants
Do you have a message for anyone thinking about applying for next year’s awards?
“I’d recommend looking carefully into the training you want to apply for and making sure it’s the right time for you to go for it, as you only get one chance. I think anyone could benefit from the award, so I’d definitely encourage people to apply. It’s a really good opportunity.”
Isabel’s experience highlights how The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards can help people in the industry gain the skills and confidence they need to grow professionally. By carefully choosing training that fits her career goals, Isabel has set herself up for the next steps in her journey. It’s a reminder that with the right support, anyone can keep developing and move forward in their career.
Ronan McKechnie – Building Leadership through the 2024 Rising Star Award
“I hope these skills will enable me to keep climbing the ladder and work my way to the top of the industry.”
Ronan McKechnie recently became one of the winners of the 2024 Printing Charity Rising Star Award. This achievement comes at a key moment in his career, as he steps into a management role, with the award providing him the opportunity to further strengthen his leadership skills. His journey to winning reflects the importance of professional development and planning for the future.
Taking the First Step
What inspired you to apply for a Rising Star Award?
“It was my boss, Larry, who introduced me to the Rising Star Award application. As soon as I heard about it, I realised how beneficial this opportunity could be for me. I had just earned a promotion into management, and the financial support would help me build on the skills I’d already learned, creating a solid foundation for managing others.”
Choosing the Right Training
What training did you choose?
“After having an in-depth discussion with my manager about my succession path and the training that could support it, he recommended I look for a course that delivers a recognised qualification—something relevant to my current role but also something I could expand on in the future.
I decided on the ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management, provided by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and delivered by Jarrold Training.”
Supporting Career Progression
How do you hope that the training you chose will support your career progression?
“I believe this training will give me the tools to approach situations from different perspectives and find the right solutions. It’s designed to help me build stronger leadership skills and develop better working relationships with my team. By learning how to assess both the tasks and the people involved, I’ll be able to offer the right support.
Ultimately, I hope these skills will enable me to keep climbing the ladder and work my way to the top of the industry.”
Reflecting on the Achievement
How do you feel now you’re a winner?
“Being a Rising Star feels great, but what really stood out was seeing all the other award winners being recognised at the House of Lords. It was a pleasure to be part of that celebration.”
Advice for Future Applicants
Do you have a message for anyone thinking about applying for next year’s awards?
“In my opinion, anyone considering applying should absolutely go for it. The application process is really worthwhile and could lead to a fantastic opportunity to improve core skills, leadership techniques, personal skills, or train with professional bodies.”
Ronan McKechnie’s Rising Star journey is a great example of how a well-timed opportunity can align with career progression. By choosing a recognised leadership and management course, Ronan is equipping himself with the skills he needs to thrive in his new role and continue his professional development. His experience highlights the value of using awards like these as a stepping stone to greater things.
At The Printing Charity, we offer funding through the Rising Star Awards to support training and development for young people aged 18-30 looking to boost their careers in print and the allied trades. Whether developing leadership capabilities, learning new practical skills, or focusing on personal skills development to enhance your role, the awards are designed to help people starting out in print grow and succeed.
To learn more about the Rising Star Awards and how the Printing Charity can support your professional development, visit Rising Star Awards.