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  • Lyons launches NI Apprenticeship Awards 2022

    Date published: 28 September 2021

    Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today launched the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

    Economy Minister Gordon Lyons with James Matchett, Higher Level Apprentice of the Year 2021
    Economy Minister Gordon Lyons with James Matchett, Higher Level Apprentice of the Year 2021

    The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022 will recognise excellence in apprenticeships and culminate in an awards ceremony on Wednesday 9 February 2022 – one of the highlight events during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2022, which will run from 7 to 11 February 2022.

    Launching the Awards, the Minister said:

    “I am delighted to launch the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022. These awards have a track record of showcasing and celebrating the depth and quality of the talent of our local apprentices, their employers and training providers across a wide range of sectors.

    “Developing the local skills base is a key priority for me and a cornerstone of the recovery. My Department’s 10X Economic Vision and associated Skills Strategy set out how we want to equip people with the skills they need for the constantly evolving jobs market and build on Northern Ireland’s successes on the global stage. Apprenticeships are integral to this vision.

    “I encourage 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 NI Apprenticeship Awards competition. We look forward to celebrating the skills and talent of apprentices and the benefits they bring to employers and businesses.”

    Dr Bryan Keating CBE, Chair of the Strategic Advisory Forum on Apprenticships and who participated in the awards judging panel last year, commented:

    “I continue to be amazed at the quality and standard of apprentices nominated for the NI Apprenticeship Awards. We have a lot of incredibly talented apprentices in Northern Ireland who are supported by superb employers and training providers and it is important that we recognise their achievements.”

    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 Award (employers with more than 250 employees)
    • Small and Medium Enterprises Award (employers with fewer than 250 employees).

    The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 29 October 2021.

    Full details on application criteria for each of the awards and how to apply are available at Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

    Notes to editors:

    1. The Department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the Department’s internal records management system. The Department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The Department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
    2. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI  
    3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk .
    4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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