It’s time to shine! The Printing Charity’s Rising Stars Awards open today. Apply now to join the constellation
The Printing Charity has launched the 2026 Rising Star Awards, a programme designed to fund professional development for individuals aged 18-35 pursuing careers in print, paper, packaging, graphics, and publishing. Now in its 17th year, the initiative provides winners with grants of up to £1500 to invest in specialised training and skills enhancement.
For 2026, the charity has extended the eligibility age range to include applicants between 18 and 35. This adjustment is intended to support not only those entering the industry but also professionals who have made a mid-career pivot or those seeking to upskill in response to evolving technological and management requirements.
The awards are open to employees in any role within the sector. In 2025, the programme recognised 78 winners across diverse disciplines, including electrical engineering, CAD programming, graphic design, and logistics coordination. The subsequent training supported by these grants saw a 41% increase in course enrolments compared to the previous year, covering leadership, management, and industry-recognised professional accreditations.
Neil Lovell, CEO of The Printing Charity, said, “Each year, the Rising Star Awards celebrate exceptional individuals shaping their careers in an industry we are proud to represent. As our flagship programme, the Rising Stars attract and support emerging talent, highlighting the breadth of opportunity print offers and the many paths to success within our sector.”
Previous winners have noted the immediate practical benefits of the funding. Jade Sullivan, a 2025 alumna from Positive+, said, “I began applying what I learned straight away in my role. The course has given me the confidence to speak with colleagues and management, knowing that my ideas and suggestions are backed by solid, evidence-based theories.”
Similarly, Marc Farmer of Tradeprint highlighted the professional networking advantages, stating, “It’s led to new conversations, networking opportunities, and industry involvement that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
The grants are intended to facilitate career momentum by providing accessible paths to recognisable accreditations and core skill developments that might otherwise be financially out of reach for individual practitioners.
Applications for the 2026 Rising Star Awards are now live. Once started, the application form can be saved and returned to at any point until submission. For any questions, please e-mail awards@theprintingcharity.org.uk.