Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards
The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2025 were launched on Monday 23 September 2024.

Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2025
The competition launched on Monday 23 September 2024 and closed 12:00 pm on Friday 8 November 2024.
Awards ceremony
The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2025 will take place on Wednesday 26 March 2025.
Finalists
Apprentice of the Year Award
- Blake Hamilton, Newell Contracts, studying at Northern Regional College
- Kathleen Healey, Queen’s University Belfast, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College
- Ebony Murtagh, M&W Farm Meats, studying at Southern Regional College
Higher-Level Apprentice of the Year Award
- Teagan Dorman, Mallaghan Engineering, studying at South West College
- Ryan McCall, McAleer and Rushe Property (MRP), studying at Queen’s University Belfast
- Jane McCarron, John Graham Construction Ltd, studying at South West College
Public Sector Apprentice of the Year Award
- Connie Foley, Northern Ireland Audit Office, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College
- Christine Marshall, Northern Ireland Civil Service, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College
- Sarah Welsh, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College
Mentor Award
- Kevin McCann, Severfield (NI) Ltd, working with South West College
- Leah Robb, The Galgorm Collection, working with Belfast Metropolitan College
- Andy Wing, NIE Networks
Large Employer in partnership with a Training Provider Award
- Citi in partnership with Ulster University
- CME Group in partnership with Ulster University
- Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College
Small to Medium Enterprise in partnership with a Training Provider Award
- Altmore Dental in partnership with South West College
- JMG Systems in partnership with South West College
- MJM Marine in partnership with Southern Regional College
Public Sector Employer in partnership with a Training Provider Award
- Derry City & Strabane District Council with North West Regional College
- Northern Ireland Civil Service with Belfast Metropolitan College
Categories
- Apprentice of the Year (AOTY) Award
- Higher Level Apprentice (HLA) of the Year Award
- Public Sector Apprentice (PSA) of the Year Award
- Large Employer in partnership with their Training Provider Award
- SME in partnership with their Training Provider Award
- Mentor Award
- Diversity and Inclusion (D and I) Award
New category for 2025
- Public Sector Employer (PSE) in partnership with their Training Provider Award
Brochure for the 2024 Awards
Brochure created for the awards ceremony held on 27 March 2024:
2024 Awards winners
The awards ceremony was held at Titanic Belfast, Belfast on 27 March 2024. The winners of the 2024 Apprenticeship Awards were:
Apprentice of the Year Award 2024
Andrew Smyth, employed at Thales UK Ltd, studying at South Eastern Regional College.
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.
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
Higher Level Apprentice (HLA) Award 2024
Joanne McCubbin, employed at Manfreight Ltd, studying at South West College.
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.
Photos of the finalists are available: NI Apprenticeship Awards 2024 finalists
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
Public Sector Apprentice Award 2024
Ashling Ying, employed at the Department of Finance, studying at Belfast Metropolitan College.
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.
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
Small to Medium Enterprise Award 2024
Irwin Mechanical & Electrical Ltd in partnership with Southern Regional College.
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.
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
Large Employer Award 2024
Galgorm Collection in partnership with 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.
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
Mentor Award 2024
Helen Goodrich, Almac.
Finalists
The other finalists were: Mark Savage, from Re-Gen Waste; and Brian Welsh, from Harland and Wolff.
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
Diversity and Inclusion Award 2024
Deloitte.
Finalist
The other finalist was: Greiner Packaging.
Video of finalists
This is a video of the winner and finalists. (Subtitles are available by clicking the CC button in the playbar).
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.