Lucan native, Cian O’Callaghan, heavy vehicle apprentice at Go Ahead Ireland, has received a prestigious national award at the Generation Apprenticeship ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards 2024, held recently in Dublin’s Round Room at the Mansion House. Cian O’Callaghan, is one of 17 finalists who took home a prestigious industry award at the spectacular awards ceremony that showcases the breadth of phenomenal apprentice talent that exists in workplaces right across Ireland.
Coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office, the Apprentice of the Year Awards are now in their third year of celebrations which has seen a doubling of nominations this year. The awards celebrate outstanding apprentice talent that exists across 70+ national Generation Apprenticeship training programmes in every region in Ireland.
Hailing from Lucan, Cian O’Callaghan’s award win has put the spotlight on the wealth of apprentice talent that exists across Dublin, facing tough competition from record number 400 Apprentice of the Year’ award nominations. Cian’s win is one of four awards presented to Dublin-based talent, including category awards presented to Clonsilla’s Philip McDonagh Lambe in the Hairdressing category, Clarehall’s Scaffolding apprentice, Sean Cumiskey in the Construction Category, and Wilkinstown’s Peter Duffy, in the Engineering category.
Barry Comerford, member of the National Apprenticeship Alliance presented the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award to Kildare woman, Bronwyn Villis ,Laboratory apprentice with Kerry Group. He also presented the industry award to Go Ahead Ireland’s Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Cian O’Callaghan, based in Naas, County Meath and 17 exceptional finalists along with Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, Patrick O’Donovan.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan; TD said: “Looking at the 400 outstanding apprentices nominated for an Apprentice of the Year award this year, it is clear to see the enormous wealth of talent we have in this country. I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to every single one on their fantastic achievement. Through the continued drive for transformation of the apprenticeship system, businesses across the country have so much to gain from a highly talented pool of apprentices.”
Commenting on his Apprentice of the Year Award win, Cian O’Callaghan said “It was an amazing feeling alone to be nominated for this prize and to know the hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Winning the award was an unreal achievement and makes it all so rewarding to know how much of an impact I can have in such a large company let alone across Ireland. I’d like to thank Go Ahead Ireland for the nomination and everyone who has helped me across the years but I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am without them.”
Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office added“The National Apprenticeship Office wish the warmest congratulations to Cian O’Callaghan on winning a top award in the Apprentice of the Year Motor category, and to all the outstanding apprentices who won industry awards spanning major skills industries. The National Apprenticeship Office is delighted to be involved in hosting the national Apprentice of the Year awards for the third year running. Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce, with remarkable attributes of leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. These awards not only celebrate the nominees, but also the power and impact of apprenticeship as a mode of learning and career development for people of all ages and backgrounds across all 21st century industries in Ireland.”
Pictured: Lucan native, Cian O’Callaghan (Go Ahead Ireland, Naas) is pictured accepting his Apprentice of the Year Award for the Motor category, from NAO Director Mary Liz Trant and Barry Commerford at the 2024 Awards Ceremony.
