Cork apprentice named as first-ever female winner of Apprentice of the Year title 

A Cork apprentice has been named as the first-ever female winner of the Apprentice of the Year title.

The #GenerationApprenticeship Apprentice of the Year Awards 2023 are an independently judged competition that celebrates the finest talent in the apprenticeship system around Ireland, overseen by the National Apprenticeship Office.

Hazel Johnston, a Manufacturing Engineering apprentice with DePuy Synthes, won the award. 

Hazel is an apprentice from Cork and studies at the Cork Education and Training Board’s Bishopstown campus.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris congratulated the first ever female winner of the Apprentice of the Year, describing her win as “a fantastic achievement”.

“I want to warmly congratulate all the nominees and winners at [the] awards, and thank them for all their hard work and commitment to their apprenticeship,” he said.

“I especially want to congratulate Hazel on her fantastic achievement. As a Department, we are working hard to increase the number of females taking up apprenticeships and, while it is heartening to see the numbers increase every year, we know much more needs to be done.  

“Hazel, and the many 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.”  

Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office, announced the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award to 500 guests in the Round Room of The Mansion House this week. 

There were a total of 14 finalists across apprenticeship categories including Hospitality, Food and Healthcare, Hairdressing, Finance and Insurance, ICT, Property Services, Recruitment and Sales, Manufacturing Engineering, Biopharma, Logistics and Motor, Electrical and Construction.

Commenting on the ceremony, Dr Mary Liz Trant said: “The NAO is delighted to award the highly coveted national ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award 2023 to Hazel Johnson, our first-ever female ‘Apprentice Of The Year’ title winner, and award 14 exceptional finalists 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.”