The cream rises to the top at Apprentice awards

21 May 2008

Patrick Gillian, an engineering apprentice with Fivemiletown Creamery, was today announced as Northern Ireland’s Apprentice of the Year 2008.

The Apprentice of the Year competition, sponsored by City and Guilds, is open to young people currently on the Department for Employment and Learning’s apprenticeship (Jobskills or Training for Success) programmes and showcases excellence in apprenticeship training.

Presenting him with his award at a gala event in Belfast’s Hilton Hotel, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey said: “Patrick is an excellent example of the achievement that can be realised when a young person chooses an apprenticeship as a career path to highly skilled employment.

“Patrick has emerged as a clear leader amongst his peer group and is recognised by his employer as a young man with a great desire to succeed, demonstrating a high degree of technical ability and commitment throughout his apprenticeship. He has made a significant and valuable contribution to Fivemiletown Creamery in improving efficiency and is a wonderful role model for others considering an apprenticeship.”

There are now almost 8,000 apprentices currently training in Northern Ireland. All are following a training framework developed with the relevant industry sector, which includes attainment of a National Vocational Qualification, a technical certificate and specified essential skills.

At today’s ceremony the Minister also announced the introduction of all-age apprenticeships at Level 2 and Level 3 with the removal of the current upper age limit of 24. The new all age-provision will be separately branded as ‘Apprenticeships NI’. Arrangements will be in place for the main recruitment in September this year. This follows a commitment given by the Department under the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy to introduce mechanisms to upskill adults who currently fall outside the current the age range 16-24 years.

Sir Reg commented: “High level skills are critical to adequately meet the needs of our economy and the enhancement of global competitiveness. I am confident that Apprenticeships NI, the new all-age apprenticeships provision, will be fully embraced by industry, Sector Skills Councils and existing or newly recruited employees.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.Others short-listed for this category included:

·Trevor Woods – Apprentice Joiner from County Fermanagh
·Jonathon Topley - Apprentice in Food and Drink Manufacturing from Tandragee, Craigavon, Co Armagh
·Keith McCracken – Apprentice Joiner from Banbridge

Other awards presented at the ceremony included:

Personal Achievement Award was presented to Jantel O’Neill, a Health and Social care worker who, despite significant learning difficulties throughout her life, has now achieved an NVQ2 and NVQ3 and excelled in her Apprenticeship.

The Most Promising 1^st Year Award went to Dominic Begley, an Apprentice Gas Service Engineer with Phoenix Gas. Dominic impressed the judges through his enthusiasm and excellence in his job, coupled with the high degree of respect he has gained within the company.

Employer Award went to NIE plc.

Training Organisation Award was won by Southern Regional College.

2.Apprentice of the Year 2008 is sponsored by City and Guilds.

3.ICT services company Fujitsu presented Patrick with a laptop computer and a package of computer accessories.

4.Michelin plc sponsored the Most Promising 1^st Year Award

5.The awards ceremony was attended by various organisations involved in the delivery of the Department’s flagship Apprenticeship training programme, including representatives from Training Organisations, Employers and Sector Skills Councils from across the province and, of course, the short-listed finalists along with their families and friends.

6.Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

7.Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440.