Event at Cork College of FET celebrates 'Generation Apprenticeship' talent

The Cork apprenticeship community gathered in Cork College of FET Bishopstown campus recently to celebrate the Generation Apprenticeship talent in Cork.

Nominees and award winners from recent national apprenticeship competitions were invited to the campus, along with their employers, to celebrate their achievements.

Cork apprentices had been nominated for the Apprentice of the Year competition, which ran in November and across a range of categories, including hairdressing, electrical, property services and manufacturing engineering.

It was a special night for the McGivern family.

Brother and sister Dale and Claire McGivern were both nominated for Apprentice of the Year. Dale has just completed his electrical instrumentation apprenticeship, while Claire is in the final year of her auctioneering and property services apprenticeship.

Also celebrating were Cork companies that were nominated for being a workplace champion.

This award recognises supports given to apprentices by their employers during their off-the-job training.

Special celebrations were in order for Stryker, who won two Workplace Champion Awards: for Lorraine Powell, who won the Equality and Diversity Workplace Champion accolade, and for Mick Dreelan, who won an Enabler/Supporter Workplace Champion Award.

Speaking on the night, Valerie Cowman, campus manager Cork College of FET Bishopstown, said: “Apprenticeship is a fantastic way to earn as you learn and develop your skills in your chosen field. All of you here today have shown excellence in your chosen apprenticeship.

“To be nominated for these awards is an honour in itself and shows your skill in your chosen craft as well as leadership, creativity and problem-solving skills.

“You are ambassadors for yourself, your employer and Generation Apprenticeship and show the very best of the education and training system.”