Stacey bags top apprentice award
19 May 2010
Stacey Sharples was today announced as Northern Ireland’s Apprentice of the Year 2010.
Twenty-two year old Stacey is employed by Mango, a major fashion retailer with a franchise in House of Fraser, Belfast. After working in warehousing, merchandising, sales and promotions, Stacey joined Mango as Assistant Manager in 2009. In recognition of her exceptional talent for business management and people development, Stacey was recently promoted to her current role as Manager. She has completed her retail training with VT Group, where she is soon to complete a Level 3 NVQ in Customer Service.
Presenting Stacey with her award at a prestigious event at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: “The Apprenticeships message is a simple one. For trainees, the programme can offer a route to employment through the development of meaningful and relevant skills. For employers, a skilled, highly motivated workforce gives your business the competitive edge that is vital to success in today’s marketplace. Now, more than ever, we must remain committed to raising the collective skills levels upon which our future prosperity depends.”
Sir Reg continued: “I congratulate Stacey on her outstanding achievement. Her success is an excellent example to all of the tangible rewards that the ApprenticeshipsNI programme can bring to the individual, whilst also highlighting the business benefits that follow on from investing in training. I trust that Stacey’s motivation and commitment to self-improvement will help stimulate others to follow the Apprenticeship route.”
There are over 10,000 apprentices currently in training in Northern Ireland. All are following a training framework developed with the relevant industry sector, which includes attainment of a Vocational Qualification, a technical certificate and specified essential skills.
The Apprentice of the Year competition is open to those currently on the Department for Employment and Learning’s Apprenticeships programmes and showcases excellence in apprenticeship training.
Notes to editors:
1. The Apprentice of the Year Awards were held at the Europa Hotel, Belfast on Wednesday 19 May 2010.
Others shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year Award were:
Justin Guiney (aged 20), a Polymer Processing and Signmaking apprentice from Ballinderry, Lisburn, who works for Clarehill Plastics, Moira and trains with South Eastern Regional College.
Colm McBride (aged 23), a Professional Cookery Apprentice from Armagh, who works for Dean Coppard, Armagh and trains with Southern Regional College.
Daniel Carragher (aged 19), an Automotive Maintenance Light Vehicle Repair Apprentice from Newry and works for Colm Gilmore Newry and trains with Southern Regional College
Richard Young (aged 25), an Engineering Technical Support Apprentice from Newtownards, who works for Bombardier Aerospace and trains with Bombardier Aerospace.
Colin Gray (aged 22), a Refrigeration Apprentice from Banbridge, who works for Montgomery Refrigeration, Belfast and trains with South Eastern Regional College.
Other awards presented at the ceremony were:
The Most Promising 1st Year Apprentice Award was presented to Lyndsey Ruddy, an Apprentice in Childcare. Lyndsey (23) is from Lurgan and works for Pineview Day Nursery, Lurgan, and trains with Southern Regional College, Banbridge Campus.
Others shortlisted for this Category were:
Joseph Watson (aged 41), a Management Apprentice from Ballyclare, who works for CAT Logistics, Larne and trains with People 1st.
Michelle McAuley (aged 40), an Engineering Apprentice from Ballymena, who works for Wrightbus, Ballymena and trains with Seven Towers Training.
The Personal Achievement Award was presented to Louise Neeson (aged 28), from Maghera. Louise has been described as an exceptional member of staff and a great example to blind and partially sighted customers. She works for RNIB Belfast and trains with VT Group, Antrim.
Others shortlisted for this Category were:
John Donnelly (aged 43), a Health & Social Care Apprentice from Banbridge, who works for Iveagh House Private Nursing Home, Banbridge and trains with Southern Regional College, Banbridge Campus.
Ionel Tudosa (aged 30), an Engineering Apprentice from Ballymena, who works for O’Kane Poultry Group, Ballymena and trains with Larne Skills Development Ltd.
The Partnership Award was presented to fonaCAB, Belfast and People 1st. The partnership demonstrates their commitment to excellence; ensuring apprentices receive the very best possible experience in training and in work.
Others shortlisted for this Category were:
Schrader Electronics Ltd, Antrim & Northern Regional College
Michelin Tyre PLC, Ballymena & Northern Regional College
2. Apprentice of the Year 2010 is sponsored by City and Guilds, Bombardier, Fujitsu and Michelin, Ballymena.
City & Guilds sponsored the Apprentice of the Year Award.
Michelin, Ballymena sponsored the Most Promising 1st Year Award.
Fujitsu sponsored the Personal Achievement Award.
Bombardier sponsored the Partnership Award.
3. The awards ceremony was attended by various organisations involved in the delivery of the Department’s flagship ApprenticeshipsNI training programme, including representatives from Training Organisations, Employers and Sector Skills Councils from across the province, short-listed finalists along with their families and friends.
4. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch, on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
