Production manager at New Zealand's Beacon Print Taryn Gannaway has added to a string of awards and qualifications, being named Competenz Diploma of Print Management Student of the Year in the training group's virtual 'night of honours'.

A former SWUG NZ apprentice of the year winner and Print Industry apprentice of the year finalist, a surprised Taryn Gannaway (left) says the diploma course helped to a greater understanding of how the company worked, "especially over the whole lockdown period - realising the impact that has on the business and understanding the decisions made".

And with the virtual awards, she's been able to replay the awards feed and share the commendations with her with family. "It was quite special," she says.

She is still enjoying her role at Beacon - which she joined as a hand collator 14 years ago - and its evolution within the industry. "At the moment we are installing a new Goss press on site - one of the newest presses in New Zealand - and being there for that and the changes it will have on our company is very exciting," she says.

Group chief executive Aaron Buist was also delighted to see Taryn Gannaway's efforts rewarded, particularly as she juggled becoming a first-time mother during her studies. "We are absolutely rapt and, without sounding too presumptuous, we are not surprised just given how diligent and passionate Taryn is about print and about what she does for us here at Beacon Print.

"She has always been really committed to her studies and most recently to the diploma and to doing a great job there. So it is really good to see that recognised."

Fully committed to ongoing training and to the industry overall, he says Beacon Print is currently engaging two new web-offset apprentices. "We are excited about print - we see a great future in it and it's just great to have awesome people who are committed to come along on this journey with us."

Other Competenz Diploma of Print Management Student of the Year finalists were: Brent Martens of Gallagher Group; Cherie Williams of Ovato; Colin Lean of Logan Print; Gregor Inger of Brebner Print; Hamish Chapman of Webstar; Matt Walsh of Philstic; and Stacey McCormack of Brebner Print.

Apprentice of the year:

Vanessa Hooton, named the Print Industry Apprentice of the Year 2019, is a graphic designer and digital printer at Tainui Press Design & Print, the firm's fourth apprentice of the year finalist and second winner.

Finalists were: Parth Bhatt of McHargs (binding and finishing);

Ryan Scott-Fellows of Hally Labels (packaging - reelfed printing);

Nurudin Pelenda of Ovato (sheetfed printing); and Bonny Seymour of Gisborne Herald (reelfed printing).

Trainer of the year:

Blue Star Collard (Henderson Place Auckland) operations manager Allen Masterson has been named Trainer of the Year, with finalists Jared Maxwell-Smith of EIL and Dale Ertel of Tainui Press.

Graphic Packaging International New Zealand plant manager Wayne Romminger says he was "surprised and very pleased" to have his firm named PrintNZ Training Company of the Year. Other finalists were Adhesifs; Blue Star Group New Zealand; Hally Labels; Labelmakers; Oji Fibre Solutions Paper Bag; Ovato; Permark Industries EIL Division; Rapid Labels; and Tainui Press Design & Print.