A talented Adare SEC apprentice took a trip to the House of Lords to receive a prestigious print award.

Lauren Powell, aged 18, is currently working towards her Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Customer Service, and travelled to London to have an interview and present her print design coursework to a panel of judges from The Print Charity for its annual Print Futures Awards.

The Adare SEC Customer Services apprentice was ecstatic when she received confirmation she had not only won a 2018 Print Futures Award but would also receive funds to pay for courses, software and equipment to help expand her experience in the print industry.

“I didn’t even think I’d get past the application stage, so the award came as a big surprise. I don’t believe I could have done it without the encouragement and support I receive from my team,” said Lauren who has worked at Adare SEC’s Redditch Secure Solutions site, in Claybrook Drive, since November 2017.

“I feel like I’ve already started to grow with Adare SEC, so this award is a huge boost for my confidence. It is definitely going to help me further my career within the printing industry. I have already chosen to go on two different courses so it’s already benefitting my career.”

Marie Ganderton, Head of Customer Services at Adare SEC in Redditch, added: “We are very proud of Lauren. She has worked tirelessly since she joined us in November, is now a major support on the team and has a workload comparable to a full-time employee.

“She really is one to look out for in the future and deserves our praise and support to continue to achieve.”

Redditch-born Lauren, who was nominated for the award by her BPIF training co-ordinator Steve Powers, has high hopes for her print career following the major national accolade which she received at a special ceremony at the House of Lords on the 26th July.

“I would love to use everything I’ve already learnt in technology and design with Adare SEC to eventually grow my own business and further that into a company or franchise,” added the talented teenager.

The Print Futures Awards offer grants to help apprentices and those studying an NVQ, aged 18-30, to develop their careers in the print, packaging, publishing and graphic design industries.