#NIAW2020 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 winners announced

The winners of this year’s Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 have been revealed at a special ceremony in Belfast today.

Pictured at #NIAW2020 NI Apprenticeship Awards in Belfast are event compere Sarah Travers, rugby star Tommy Bowe and Economy Minister Diane Dodds

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.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Pictured at #NIAW2020 NI Apprenticeship Awards in Belfast are event compere Sarah Travers, rugby star Tommy Bowe and Economy Minister Diane Dodds. Pictures featuring the award winners are available on request.
2. For more information on the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 application criteria please visit Apprenticeship Awards 2020
3. For information on apprenticeships and events happening during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week visit nidirect. 
4. Follow us on Twitter @economy_ni
5. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604 or email pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk . Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

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