The National Apprenticeship Office will acknowledge outstanding apprenticeship individuals and teams in workplaces around Ireland at the Generation Apprenticeship ‘Champions in the Workplace’ awards event, happening at lunchtime, on the 5th of December 2024 in the Radisson Blu Saint Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin.
Dr Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office said: “At over 29,000, the Irish apprenticeship population is at an all-time high.This record increase is driven by the nominees and businesses we are celebrating on the 5th of December. Individuals and teams who bring apprenticeship training alive, supporting and enabling apprentices to embark on great careers.”
“And with 23 new apprenticeship programmes in development we are on track to shortly have 100 apprenticeships nationally. A record achievement for Ireland and for the employers who invest in apprenticeship talent.”
The 2024 workplace champions are drawn from almost 10,000 small, medium and large employers from industries like engineering, construction, finance, ICT and insurance.
Speaking ahead of the awards, Brian Kelly of Murray Timber Group said: “Our apprenticeship programme has ramped up in recent years and the training of apprentices has been of great benefit to us. We take great pride in seeing our apprentices achieve their National Craft Certificates and growing here with us or elsewhere.”
The awards reflect the growth in women choosing apprenticeships to develop their careers and women flourishing in apprenticeship industries.
Karen O’Regan from Aviva said she was delighted to be nominated. Leading apprentices to achieve an honours degree qualification in Insurance Practice is “so rewarding”, she says, “and supporting an overall female participation of 53% in the programme is fantastic!”
A lot is happening in apprenticeship. Across every county in Ireland, industry expectations are greater than ever as businesses realise how the skills and talent acquired through apprenticeship can constantly evolve and adapt.
Schneider Electrical’s Vincent Fitzgerald said “I am delighted to be nominated. I strive to create a workplace where everyone’s potential is recognised and nurtured.”
80 outstanding Apprenticeship Champions of the Workplace have been nominated this year for an award, across 4 categories. The 2024 Awards will celebrate people who positively support and mentor apprentices and their skills to thrive.
The awards to be presented at the lunchtime ceremony include:
- Apprenticeship mentor/assessor – 2 awards
- Apprenticeship enabler/supporter – 2 awards
- Apprenticeship equality, diversity and inclusion advocate – 1 award
- Outstanding apprenticeship team in 2024 – 2 awards
- One overall 2024 Generation Apprenticeship Champion in the Workplace award, chosen from the category nominations
The Awards will have a strong and diverse industry presence from Ireland’s business and educational community including the National Apprenticeship Alliance, CIF, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Ibec, ICTU, and education and training providers.
Find more information about apprenticeships and the Generation Apprenticeship Champions in the Workplace Awards at www.apprenticeship.ie.
Pictured: 2024 Generation Apprenticeship Champion of the Workplace Nominee, Vincent Fitzgerald (Schneider Electric) ‘strives to create a workplace where everyone’s potential is recognised and nurtured’.
