SWUG Apprentice of the Year 2014

SWUG Apprentice of the Year 2014

APN Print Ellerslie’s Molisi Saulala is the 2014 SWUG Apprentice of the Year

Molisi was chosen for the top award, with PMP Print’s Faanuualii Suafoa taking the runner-up position.

Judges said Molisi’s quality of workmanship showed pride in his work and this followed through in his finished product. He is always happy and energetic in his work, fits in well with all shifts and is willing to accept responsibility.

Molisi has excellent organisational skills and relishes the chance to plan shifts or suggest better work practices.

His supervisor Blair Evans said Molisi represents all that is great about the Print NZ and APN Print training processes. “Together these two platforms have delivered an outstanding tradesperson to APN Print Ellerslie and the industry.

“Upon completion of his apprenticeship Molisi moved directly into a supervisory role which is testament to both his abilities and his maturity. He was functioning as a team leader in the later stages of his apprenticeship and this level of willingness and desire to be a success, underpins his commitment and passion to his training and his craft.

“Molisi takes a leading role in all facets of his new role and is very popular and respected member of his immediate team.”

Operations Manager Russell Wieck said Molisi joined APN Print Ellerslie as a casual operator in the post press and immediately impressed everyone with his dedication to every facet of his tasks as well as his mechanical abilities.

“When the opportunity of an apprenticeship in Print Finishing (Reel Fed) became available, Molisi was an obvious candidate for the position and he impressed even further during the interview process en route to being the successful applicant.

“Molisi always displayed a willingness and desire to learn and develop his skills throughout his apprenticeship and has become an outstanding tradesperson as a result of this dedication.

“In 2013 Molisi completed the Outward Bound Navigator course a further testament to his desire to develop and grow.

“He now moves into the next exciting stage of his career recently accepting a role as the Afternoon Shift Post Press Team Leader. This was a natural progression for this talented and dedicated young person and an easy decision for me to make.”

Molisi said the award was a dream come true. In his application he said it has been a mind-blowing journey with many challenges.

“Having overcome these challenges I feel like it now is just a new beginning. I have gained great wealth of knowledge and experience for the career path ahead.”

The inaugural SWUG Apprentice of The Year was established in 2010 with Matthew Lowe of Whakatane Beacon taking out the award. Jamie Melgren from APN Print Tauranga was the winner in 2011, Shane Baskiville from APN Print Ellerslie the winner in 2012 followed by Edmond Huch also of APN Print Ellerslie.

Committee member Ian Gibson gave thanks to James Ackland and the team at DS Chemport for their continuing support for the Apprentice Award, including funding a trip to Australia to visit sites and attend SWUG Australia.

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