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Championing emerging talent within the packaging, print and publishing industries, the Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards provide winners support and grants of up to £1,500 for training and development courses. 
 
We caught up with Rising Star Taylor Lock, Internal Account Manager at Amberley Labels, Coveris’ luxury labelling business, to find out why he applied for the Printing Charity’s Rising Star Award last year and how he’s been getting on since winning the award. 
 
What inspired you to apply for the Rising Star Award? 
After speaking with previous winners about the opportunities the award would bring, I felt like it was the right time in my career to apply. I’ve learnt so much having worked in the print industry for the past three years and wanted to expand my skill set even more through specialised trainings to support my long-term goal of becoming a sales manager. 
 
What trainings did you apply for, and what did you learn?
With my funding from the Printing Charity, I was able to go on two courses in Online Sales Training and Online & In-House Key account Development Strategies. As both of the trainings were 1-1, we were able to tailor the sessions to my role and areas I wanted to learn more about, such as detailed project planning, which has really helped me in my day-to-day work and expanded my wider skillset.   
 
What difference has the award made to your career? 
I’m really pleased that I applied for the award as winning it has built my confidence in so many ways and helped to kick-start a new chapter in my career. I learnt so much in my trainings and my confidence when presenting to customers has definitely grown as my knowledge has become more rounded.
 
What would you say to anyone else thinking about applying for a Rising Star Award?
Firstly, think hard about where you want to get in your career and then apply as you’ll get the most out of it. Winning the award has definitely inspired me to carry on learning and develop my skills further to keep progressing in the industry. 
 
Anything you’d like to add? 
Yes, I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the previous Rising Star Award winners, and all of the team at Amberley Blandford for their encouragement, support and kindness! It’s been a great journey, having the time and resources to invest in myself, and I’m really pleased that I applied. I’d also like to thank the Printing Charity for this fantastic opportunity.