We are incredibly proud to be celebrating a huge milestone for Sam, who has officially graduated with a well-deserved First Class Honours from Sheffield Hallam University and distinction in his apprenticeship after completing his Level 6 Packaging Professionals Degree.
Over the past four years, Sam has balanced full-time work within our creative, print and fulfilment teams with university study, industry projects, and live commercial briefs.
His tutors have regularly commented on his creative flair, commitment and resilience whilst developing into a well-respected packaging specialist amongst his cohort.
Sheffield Hallam's Integrated Degree Apprenticeship in Supply Chain & Packaging is widely regarded as the UK's leading qualification for developing professional packaging specialists.
It combines academic teaching, hands-on learning, and real industry practice, and it sets a consistent national benchmark for skills in packaging innovation, materials science, sustainability, and print production.
The degree covers the full packaging lifecycle from materials science, sustainability and structural design to print production, supply chain, and quality assurance. It also brings together creative, technical and commercial decision-making to develop packaging that performs, protects, and supports responsible brand delivery.
This combination of academic insight and commercial experience is what makes the apprenticeship so valuable, and Sam has embraced every part of it.
This wide scope requires the apprentice to be disciplined, focused and dynamic in their application of the course whilst working full-time.
The course has provided several opportunities for Sam to connect with industry experts and develop his profile within the industry, contributing to events, pitching and presenting to experts and networking alongside developing client relationships.
From a photoshoot at our studio for the university's marketing images, being a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year awards, sponsoring the Design Futures Packaging Events and much more it has been a fantastic experience.
His commitment to the course and enthusiasm for each opportunity have enabled him to grow into a respected professional within his cohort and the industry.
"As an upskilling student bringing a background of hard work and experience into the classroom, Sam has been able to not only apply himself to the degree aspect of the programme (where he has excelled in his academic study), but brought high levels of synthesis with his work-based practice – adding value for his employer while making astonishing personal progress.
Working for an SME in a programme alongside apprentices from larger organisations can be difficult, but not for Sam. He has collaborated and thrived in the diverse setting our course provides – sharing knowledge and offering views from his own context with other apprentices, that have elevated the whole programme.
From day 1, Sam has not only looked to learn for himself, but to share, and to drive forward truly sustainable outcomes for himself, his company and the sector he represents."
Peter Macqueen, Course Leader & Senior Lecturer
Sam's creative talent, experience, and willingness to learn have come together during his time on the course. Now with more confidence and resources at his disposal, he can 'make things happen' with the full support of his peers.
At Far'n'Beyond, we work with a wide range of clients seeking reliable, innovative, and well-designed printed packaging utilising several production methods.
This versatility, alongside our in-house production and fulfilment capabilities, has helped drive significant growth in our printed packaging and point-of-sale products and services.
"It has been a pleasure to be part of Sam's journey over the last four years. Initially apprehensive about the challenge, I am incredibly proud of how he has proven to himself what he is capable of.
Achieving a distinction at degree level while working full time is a remarkable and well-deserved accomplishment.
Sam's creative talent, experience, and eagerness to learn have really come together throughout the course. With new confidence and skills at his disposal and the support of his peers, he's now in a fantastic position to help drive our packaging portfolio forward."
Adam Moody, Director at Far'n'Beyond
Achieving a staggering 96 out of 100 for the ‘Packaging Technology Applied’ module is a great example of how Sam has selected a topic with a business challenge in mind, invested his time in the topic, brought valuable insight to the company and completed a considered academic presentation.
Congratulations Sam.
