Winners announced in Apprenticeship Awards

STRABANE Training Services in conjunction with Specialist Joinery Fittings are among the winners of this year’s Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 which have been revealed at a special ceremony in Belfast today.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds and rugby star Tommy Bowe presented winners with their awards. The ceremony is one of the highlights of the Department’s Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week designed to showcase the range of opportunities available through apprenticeships to both potential applicants and employers.

The 2020 winners are:

• SME Innovation Award

Specialist Joinery Group, in partnership with Strabane Training Services

• Apprentice Award

Craig Holmes, employed by A S Watson Group – Savers and training at Babcock Training Ltd

• Large Employer Innovation Award

Citi in partnership with Belfast Met

• Higher Level Apprentice Award – Joint winners

Colleen O’Boyle, employed by Mallaghan Engineering Ltd and training with South West College; and Will Bradley, employed by BT and training with Belfast Met

Speaking at the awards ceremony Economy Minister Diane Dodds said: “I want to commend all those who were shortlisted for this year’s awards and congratulate the 2020 winners.

“There are over 8,300 apprentices, including higher level apprentices, currently on apprenticeship programmes funded by the Department for the Economy, so to be nominated for these awards is testament to your hard work and dedication.

“I would also like to acknowledge the work being done by the employers and training providers. Without your commitment and enthusiasm we wouldn’t be able to run these programmes. Apprenticeship programmes help us equip people with the skills and qualifications needed to support economic growth and develop our economy.”