I entered the print and signage industries two years ago, and something I have been asked more than anything else is: "How did you end up in the industry?" Did I choose this career path on purpose? How did I find my job? And what was it that attracted me to the industry? Like many others I ended up entering the industries through complete chance. I had just finished my bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, and with the looming feeling of needing to find a trade I jumped into the world of apprenticeships. Completely unknowing of where it would take me, I applied for a plethora of apprenticeships, looking at trades that weren’t just print. It wasn’t until I heard back from my interview for the role of apprentice print technician at GH Display that my journey into the world of print began. I can’t help but notice that unlike so many other trades, print isn’t advertised to people in education. Throughout my own education I was never told about the print and signage industries at all. I knew of course that things were ‘printed’ to put it loosely, but never to the extent of how much is actually produced and how it was done, or why. Going through secondary education, GCSE’S, A Levels, and then into Michaela Christmas, apprentice print technician at GH Display gives her first thoughts on the print and signage industries and looks at the barriers stopping more young people joining the industries The Most Asked Question ▲ Michaela Christmas was an award winner at this year’s Printing Charity Rising Star Awards FRESH PERSPECTIVES | MICHAELA CHRISTMAS It seems like the most obvious entry point into the industries is being given role specific training and guidance from people with real expertise and experience within print and signage 33 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 261 - October / November 2025
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