Patience pays off for 'lifelong learner'

Aug 27, 2015 at 12:53 pm by Staff


NZME Ellerslie trainee Navdeep Sidhu has been named SWUG New Zealand's apprentice of the year.

A print finishing (reel fed) trainee, he says he is "overwhelmed" to have won the DS Chemport-sponsored award. Sidhu joined what was then APN Print as a casual in the prepress department in 2004, and began an apprenticeship at the beginning of last year.

"I am grateful to my seniors for recognising my potential and providing me with this moment of immense happiness," he says. "(It) has made me feel satisfied that I am moving towards the right direction and will be able to avail many more opportunities while growing alongside my company."

A "lifelong learner with a get-along attitude", he achieved excellent marks in assignments to date, and is expected to complete his training ahead of the scheduled May 2017. NZME Print Ellerslie operations manager Russell Wieck says his "positive attitude, quality of workmanship and mechanical capabilities" immediately impressed everyone.

He gained a part-time postpress position in April 2005, and moved to full-time in July 2006: "Navdeep waited patiently for a number of years honing his skills until the opportunity of an apprenticeship became available," Wieck says, and "was an obvious candidate for the position."

In addition to running the Ellerslie plant's Saturday night shift in a supervisory role as required, Sidhu has recently taken on extra responsibilities as fire warden and occupational health and safety representative.

Pictured: Navdeep Sidhu receives his award flanked by DS Chemport's James Ackland and Graeme Robertson

Sections: Newsmedia industry

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