Duke of York praises the Printing Charity

Speaking at the charity’s annual luncheon the Duke of York, who is The Printing Charity’s president for 2015, said: “Printing is part of life, but it requires skills. Thank you to everyone here today for the work you do to raise the printing industry’s profile and encourage young people to become skilled.”

Jon Wright, chairman of the Printing Charity, announced that in 2015, the year the charity is marking the 150th anniversary of the granting of its first Royal Charter by Queen Victoria, it will help over 1,000 people.

He said the charity will achieve this through its financial grants programme, its two sheltered homes, initiatives such as the Print Futures Awards, and partnerships with other charities and organisations. The Print Futures Awards saw a record number of 37 bursaries handed out to young people aspiring to careers in print related industries. In total, eight young people out of the 37 were from Yorkshire universities.

Mr Wright added: “Our work is also focused on apprenticeships. This includes helping to fund a teacher’s resource pack promoting apprenticeships to 15-18 year-olds.

“In 2016, as part of the print industry led apprenticeship trailblazer, the charity will be assisting apprentices with costs associated with their study.”

The charity recently partnered with the Leeds Apprenticeship Training Agency to help apprentices and people studying for NVQs in print-related organisations in Leeds​.

At the event, the Duke of York presented Lord Black of Brentwood, executive director of the Telegraph Media Group and the charity’s vice president, with a President Emeritus Award for his work on the charity’s behalf.