Pictures: First hairdresser ‘crop’ among new apprenticeship graduates from Cork college 

The first group of hairdressing apprentices were among the students at a recent Cork College of Further Education and Training (FET) graduation ceremony.

Some 483 apprentices, across 27 different programmes, celebrated their graduation at the Clayton Silversprings Hotel on Friday, November 29.

The graduation was attended by the chairperson of Cork ETB and Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan; chief executive of Cork ETB, Denis Leamy; director of further education and training, Cork ETB, John Fitzgibbons; and Dr Mary Liz Trant, of the National Apprenticeship Office.

Ms Coughlan congratulated the graduates by saying that apprenticeships are “key” to the economy.

“Apprenticeships, and the skills that apprenticeships bring, are key for our national economy and I am delighted to see the work that Cork College of FET, the National Apprenticeship Office, and Solas are doing in this area.

“Each apprentice here, today, should be very proud of themselves on their amazing achievements, and I would also like to acknowledge the role of apprentices’ employers, training providers, families, and friends who have supported their journey every step of the way,” Ms Coughlan said.

Some of the graduates included the first-ever national hairdressing apprentices from Cork College of FET, located on the Douglas St campus.

Hairdressing graduate Conor Kilkenny said the programme was “fantastic” for him.

“I knew I wanted to study and achieve a qualification but also that I wanted to earn.

“The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship was a fantastic way for me to balance both.

“I am so delighted to graduate today with my Level-6 award and would like to thank all the staff in Cork College of FET-Douglas St for all their support in achieving this qualification.”

Over the course of three years, the apprentices worked four days in their salon and attended classes one day a week.

Denis Leamy said the new programme is an “excellent route for developing hairdressing talent”.

“Cork ETB is very proud to have supported this programme from the very beginning and we are delighted to have the first group of graduates achieve their certificate today,” Mr Leamy said.

“The talent that this group have shown in the course of their three years of study is breathtaking and I know they have a very bright future ahead,” the chief executive of Cork ETB said.

Aaron O’Brien was one of the QQI Level-6 advanced certificate of craft in electrical graduates, and he has spoken about setting up his own business since he finished the programme.

“I had other options, but I always knew that an electrical apprenticeship was the route for me,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The practical nature of the apprenticeship, and the combination of on- and off-the-job learning, meant that I finished my four years ready to set up my own business,” he said.

For further information on Cork Education and Training Board and their range of schools, courses, and opportunities from primary, through post-primary, to further education, see www.corketb.ie.

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