Glanmire woman, Kerrie Anne Fitzgerald, has been awarded a top category award in the ‘Electrical’ industry category at the recent ‘Apprentice of the Year’ National Apprenticeship Office awards, held on October 20th. She is conducting her electrical apprenticeship with Freefoam Building Products Limited in Ballintemple and stated it was ‘just brilliant’ to have received the award.
Longford native Hazel Johnston, who is an apprentice based in Cork, scored the top prize at the awards and was named ‘Apprentice of the Year’, the MTU student standing as the first-ever female ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the independently judged Generation Apprenticeship awards.
Kerrie Anne was one of only 14 category award winners, from a total of 222 nominees all across Ireland, a record breaking number. There are 26,000 apprentices in the Generation Apprenticeship community nationwide.
Commenting on receiving her award, Glanmire’s Kerrie Anne explained the opportunity the award has opened for her.
“I am beyond grateful for the support from Freefoam Building Products Limited, and Cork College of FET. This nomination and now win symbolises the progress we have made in breaking down gender barriers and promoting diversity and inclusion. There are so many opportunities for me after doing an apprenticeship, I can go into teaching, I could go into engineering or start my own business as well. It’s just brilliant to have won this award.”
INSPIRATIONAL
Minister Simon Harris TD congratulated all apprentices, “I want to congratulate the apprentices on their fantastic achievements. As a department, we are working hard to increase the number of females taking up apprenticeships… Hazel and the other female apprentices pursuing their dream careers across Ireland, should act as an inspiration to others considering the path they want to take in life.”
Other award winners included Grace Nagle, Commis Chef apprentice with University Hospital Tipperary (HSE Southeast) and Nicholas Davis, electrical apprentice with ESB Networks, County Cork.
Dr Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office said: “The NAO was delighted to present the national ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award for 2023 to Hazel Johnson and 14 exceptional finalists including Kerrie Anne and Nicholas, from a 26,000-strong Generation Apprenticeship community of dedicated apprentices. Apprentices are transforming the landscape of Ireland’s skilled workforce, bringing exceptional creativity and innovation, adaptability, leadership, fresh perspectives and a steadfast eagerness to learn that makes them valuable additions to any industry or workforce”.
For more information on Generation Apprenticeship programmes and how to apply, go to www.apprenticeship.ie
