Applications open - #apprenticeawards2020

Date published: 23 September 2019

The Apprenticeship Awards will recognise excellence in apprenticeships including a special awards ceremony on 6 February 2020 at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast. The Awards Ceremony will be one of the highlight events during the Department’s inaugural Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week which will run from Monday 3 to Friday 7 February 2020.

Pictured launching the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 are left to right Sarah Travers, Permanent Secretary for the Department for the Economy Noel Lavery, Apprentice of the Year 2018 Tammy Whelan and Tommy Bowe.

The Department for Economy has officially launched the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020.

The Apprenticeship Awards will recognise excellence in apprenticeships including a special awards ceremony on 6 February 2020 at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast. The Awards Ceremony will be one of the highlight events during the Department’s inaugural Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week which will run from Monday 3 to Friday 7 February 2020.

Speaking on the day of the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards launch, the Permanent Secretary, Noel Lavery said: “I would like apprentices, employers and training providers who are working in the wide range of apprenticeships available across Northern Ireland to share with us their apprenticeship experiences by entering the Apprenticeship Awards competition. We want to celebrate excellence in apprenticeships with apprentices, employers and training providers.”

“The Apprenticeship Awards are about showcasing the very best within our apprenticeship programmes and the opportunities available. There are over 8,400 apprentices, including higher level apprentices, currently on apprenticeship programmes funded by the Department for the Economy. I would encourage everyone, who is eligible, to apply and to join us to showcase the talent, skills and benefits to be gained by participating on our apprenticeship programmes.”

Attending the launch were Tammy Whelan, Apprentice of the Year 2018, along with Sarah Travers and Tommy Bowe who will be special guests at the Awards Ceremony on 6 February 2020.

The Awards Ceremony will be attended by all finalists where the winners in four categories will be announced.

Applications are now open for the four award categories:

  • Apprentice of the Year (Levels 2-3);
  • Higher Level Apprentice of the Year (Level 4+);
  • Large Employer Innovation Award (employers with more than 250 employees); and
  • Small Medium Enterprises Innovation Award (employers with fewer than 250 employees).

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 25 October 2019.

Notes to editors 

1.  Full details on application criteria for each of the awards and how to apply are available on the Department's website. 

2. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

3. Caption picture - Pictured launching the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 are left to right Sarah Travers, Permanent Secretary for the Department for the Economy Noel Lavery, Apprentice of the Year 2018 Tammy Whelan and Tommy Bowe. The Apprenticeship Awards will recognise excellence in apprenticeships including a special awards ceremony on 6 February 2020 at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast. The Awards Ceremony will be one of the highlight events during the Department’s inaugural Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week which will run from Monday 3 to Friday 7 February 2020.

4. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI or by using the hashtag #apprenticeawards2020

Share this page

Back to top