Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards

2024 Awards winners

The awards ceremony was held at Titanic Belfast, Belfast on 27 March 2024. The winners of the 2024 Apprenticeship Awards are:

Apprentice of the Year Award 2024

Andrew Smyth, employed at Thales UK Ltd, studying at South Eastern Regional College.

L-R Paddy Raff, 2023 Apprentice Award Winner Conor Braniff, 2024 Apprentice Award Winner Andrew Smyth

Finalists

The other finalists were: Kim Hunter, employed at Greiner Packaging, studying at South West College; and Emma Taggart, employed at Bupa Dental Care Omagh, studying at South West College.

Higher Level Apprentice (HLA) Award 2024

Joanne McCubbin, employed at Manfreight Ltd, studying at South West College.

L-R Paddy Raff and 2024 Higher Level Apprentice Award Winner Joanne McCubbin, 2023 Higher Level Apprentice Award Winner Kerry Moore

Finalists

The other finalists were: Gavin Magee, employed at Corr’s Corner Hotel, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College; and Jill O’Neill, employed at Magherafelt Manor Care Home, studying at Open University.

Public Sector Apprentice Award 2024

Ashling Ying, employed at the Department of Finance, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College.

L-R Paddy Raff; Public Sector Apprentice Award Winner Ashling Ying; and Clement Athanasiou, Director of Apprenticeships Careers and Vocational Education (DfE)

Finalists

The other finalists were: Barry Killen, employed at the Department for Communities, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College; and Danny McGinley, employed at Translink Northern Ireland Railways, studying at Northern Regional College.

Small to Medium Enterprise Award 2024

Irwin Mechanical & Electrical Ltd in partnership with Southern Regional College.

L-R :Laura White from Irwin M&E; Paddy Raff; Margaret McNamee from Southern Regional College; and DfE Permanent Secretary Ian Snowden.

Finalists

The other finalists were: McCue in partnership with Northern Regional College; and Neddy Teddy's Day Nursery Limited in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College.

Large Employer Award 2024

Galgorm Collection in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College.

L-R Paddy Raff, Leah Robb from Galgorm Collection, Kathryn McCamIey Deputy Director of Apprenticeships and Vocational Education, Aiveen Cassidy from Belfast Metropolitan College

Finalists

The other finalists were: PwC in partnership with Ulster University; and Ryobi Aluminium Castings (UK) Ltd in partnership with Northern Regional College.

Mentor Award 2024

Helen Goodrich, Almac.

L-R Paddy Raff; Mentor Award Winner Helen Goodrich; and Barry Neilson OBE.

Finalists

The other finalists were: Mark Savage, from Re-Gen Waste; and Brian Welsh, from Harland & Wolff.

Diversity and Inclusion Award 2024

Deloitte.

L-R: Paddy Raff; Andrew McKibben and Harriet Brennan from 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Award Winners Deloitte; and Graeme Wilkinson Director of Skills (DfE)

Finalist

The other finalist was: Greiner Packaging.

About the awards

The NI Apprenticeship Awards recognise:

• apprentices who are making a significant contribution in their workplace and have shown a dedication to excel in their professional development and learning.
• higher level apprentices who are making a significant contribution in their workplace and have shown a dedication to excel in their professional development and learning.
• influential partnerships between employers and training providers that support the continuous growth of Skills Development in Northern Ireland.
• apprenticeship mentors who are making a positive contribution to their employer’s business by integrating apprentices whilst developing the professional and technical skills of those apprentice(s).
• individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion in their respective fields.
• apprentices who have excelled in their apprenticeships within the public sector.