Search For 2014 Apprentice Of The Year Begins

These awards are an opportunity to recognise those who are excelling in their apprenticeships and those who are investing in the skills of their workforce

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has launched the 2014 Apprentice of the Year competition.

These much coveted awards are designed to recognise people involved in apprenticeship training in Northern Ireland, including employers, training suppliers and the apprentices themselves.

Nominations are now open for the two award categories Apprentice of the Year Award and Innovation in Partnership Award (for Employers and Training Suppliers).

Speaking at the launch, Minister Farry said: “Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to build knowledge and skills, gain a qualification and earn money all at the same time. With currently over 7,500 apprentices in Northern Ireland working across a diverse range of industry and business sectors, apprenticeships are certainly a popular route to a successful career.

“I would encourage apprentices, employers and training partners to enter the competition. These awards are an opportunity to recognise those who are excelling in their apprenticeships and those who are investing in the skills of their workforce.

“On Monday I made a statement to the Assembly on my Department’s review of apprenticeships which includes a wide range of proposals to boost apprenticeship uptake and provision at a local level including the expansion of higher level apprenticeships and progression pathways across professional, technical and academic routes. The out workings of this review will ensure apprenticeships will play a greater role in the future growth of our economy.”

Find out more

The closing date for all categories is Friday 28 February 2014. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday 14 May 2014.

The ApprenticeshipsNI programme is part financed by the European Social Fund.

You can find out more about the Apprentice of the Year Awards and how to enter on the nidirect website.

Source: nibusinessinfo.co.uk