WINNERS IN FIRST EVER APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022 ANNOUNCED

The overall winner of the inaugural #GenerationApprenticeship Apprentice of the Year Awards 2022 – as well as the winners in categories that include Services, Engineering and Manufacturing, Construction, Electrical and Motor – were announced last night by Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, TD.

The Awards were hosted by RTE star and nationally renowned architect Dermot Bannon and held in the Round Room of Dublin’s Mansion House. 500 invited guests from across the apprenticeship system, including 187 nominated apprentices and employers in leading Irish businesses, were present.

The overall winner of 2022 Apprentice of the Year is Brian Riordan from Dublin, employed by Designer Group.
The 12 finalists – across the apprenticeship categories of Services, Engineering and Manufacturing, Construction, Electrical and Motor – are:
Arron Cooke from Dublin, undertaking an Electrical apprenticeship, with Suir Engineering
Brendan Giles from Donegal, undertaking a Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship, with Abbott Diabetes Care
Dean Doyle from Dublin, undertaking a Motor Mechanics apprenticeship, with Frank Keane BMW Naas Road
Gareth Mullen from Dublin, undertaking a Plumbing apprenticeship, with Tritech Electrical
John Webster from Mayo, undertaking a Commis Chef apprenticeship, with Barry Ralph
Brian Riordan from Dublin, undertaking an Electrical apprenticeship, with Designer Group
Kaylem Russell from Meath, undertaking an Agricultural Mechanics apprenticeship, with E Finnegan & Sons
Kim Kelly from Donegal, undertaking a Hairdressing apprenticeship, with Patrick Gildea
Mairide Bennis from Limerick, undertaking a Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship, with DesignPro Automation
Megan Watkins from Tipperary, undertaking a Commis Chef apprenticeship, with Imogen Ryan
Owen Kenny from Cork, undertaking an Electrical Instrumentation apprenticeship, with Sean Ahern Electrical
Patryk Mierzejewski from Cork, undertaking a Commis Chef apprenticeship, with Eli Lilly Sodexo Kinsale
The #GenerationApprenticeship Apprentice of the Year Awards 2022 are an independently judged competition that celebrates the finest talent in the apprenticeship system around Ireland, overseen by the National Apprenticeship Office. Apprentices were nominated by their employer or training provider and judged on their outstanding skills and qualities in leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem solving.

Minister Harris said, “I want to warmly congratulate each nominee this evening on their hard work and commitment to their apprenticeship, and also thank their employers, educators and families for their ongoing support. There is a huge amount of motivation and talent on show here this evening, and I look forward to many more years of celebrating success through the Apprentice of the Year Awards.

He added, “I want to congratulate the 187 nominees, 12 finalists and, in particular, the overall winner of Apprentice of the Year Brian Riordan from Dublin, employed by Designer Group.

He concluded, “Apprenticeship is a vital lever for the continued economic prosperity of this country – it not only unlocks the skills and expertise necessary for leading Irish businesses, but also will help us to achieve critical aims in the Programme for Government, including on housing. This is a really exciting time for apprenticeships and tonight is a chance to celebrate our apprentices and the businesses who have taken them on. I would encourage anyone to consider an apprenticeship. This is third level education and you can earn as you learn. It is time to get involved and help us build the next generation of apprentices.”

Dr Mary-Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office, said, “It is clear from the many talented and dynamic nominees in the first ever Apprentice of the Year Awards tonight that the conversation around apprenticeship is changing. Apprenticeship is a pathway into a great career, and a choice that both apprentices and businesses can be very proud of taking. I’d like to thank all of the apprentices, businesses and families here this evening – and also thank our independent expert judges for all their hard work in making some very tough choices.”

RTE’s Dermot Bannon, architect and MC of the Awards, said, “I’m delighted to be here to host the first ever #GenerationApprenticeship Apprentice of the Year Awards. It’s clear to me that apprenticeships have evolved – they are a modern, cutting edge route into exciting and growing sectors. The talent on show here this evening is superb and I would like to warmly congratulate all the nominees and winners on their exceptional achievements.”

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Denise Maguire   Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: denise@mcdmedia.ie      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE         WWW.IRISHCONSTRUCTION.COM