Tyrone apprentice wins top training award
21 May 2007
Eamonn Maynes, an Underground Cable Jointing Apprentice with Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE PowerTeam), was today announced as Modern Apprentice of the Year.
Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today presented Eamonn with his award at a gala lunchtime event in Belfast’s Hilton Hotel.
The Minister said: “Eamonn is a fine example of the rewards that can come from choosing the Modern Apprenticeship route into employment. The Department’s Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland highlights the benefits for the economy and the individual of investing time and effort in developing the right skills.
“Eamonn has emerged as a clear leader amongst his peer group and is recognised within NIE as an individual who has made a genuine, significant and valuable contribution to its business and customers alike. I congratulate him in his achievement and trust that his example will show others the tangible rewards that can come from a Modern Apprenticeship.”
Modern Apprenticeships are open to young people age 16 - 24 who are entering full time employment or meet specified criteria for existing employees. Apprentices follow a training framework developed with the relevant industry, which includes attainment of a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3, a technical certificate and specified key skills. There are around 6,500 Modern Apprentices currently in training in Northern Ireland.
The Modern Apprentice of the Year competition was open to all young people taking part in a Modern Apprenticeship under the Department’s vocational training programme. Nominations were invited from training organisations involved in the delivery of the Modern Apprenticeship programme and an independent selection panel short-listed five young people to go forward as finalists to the awards event in the Hilton Hotel.
The Minister also presented a Personal Achievement Award to Caroline Cunningham, an apprentice in Health & Social Care from Rathfriland. Caroline, who is trained by Newry & Kilkeel Institute of Further & Higher Education and employed by Rathmourne Domiciliary Care Home, has overcome prolonged periods of illness and major surgery to become a remarkable health care worker. She has flourished in her chosen discipline and hopes one day to train to become a Social Worker.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Modern Apprentice of the Year 2007 Eamonn Maynes is from Coagh, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone from a farming background and in his spare time he is actively involved in restoring classic cars and vintage tractors. His father has a business selling farm machinery.
- Modern Apprentice of the Year 2007 is sponsored by City and Guilds.
- ICT services company Fujitsu presented Eamonn with a laptop computer and a package of computer accessories.
- The awards ceremony was attended by various organisations involved in the delivery of the Department’s flagship vocational 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.
- Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.