ENTRY is now open for this year’s Apprentice of the Year competition.
These awards are designed to recognise people involved in apprenticeship training in Northern Ireland, including employers, training suppliers and the apprentices themselves.
Alongside the existing Apprentice of the Year Award and the Innovation in Partnership Award for Employers and Training Suppliers an additional category has also been announced for this year; the Higher Level Apprentice of the Year Award.
The closing date for application forms is noon, Friday, February 5 and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Titanic Suite, Belfast, on Wednesday, April 20.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry said: “I would encourage apprentices, employers and training partners to enter this prestigious competition.
These awards are an opportunity to recognise those who are excelling in their apprenticeships and those companies who are investing in the skills of their workforce and I am pleased to announce an additional category this year, the Higher Level Apprentice Award.
“The NI Strategy for Apprenticeships aims to deliver gold standard apprenticeships which will form part of the new skills landscape and the new Higher Level Apprentice Award will recognise those excelling in this new area of learning.
The new apprenticeship model is currently being piloted and will be introduced in September. Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to build knowledge and skills, gain a qualification and earn money and will play a vital role in growing our local economy.
“With currently over 6,500 apprentices and over 250 Higher Level Apprentices in Northern Ireland working across a diverse range of industry and business sectors, apprenticeships are proving to be a popular route to a successful career.”
It is believed the High Level Apprenticeships will transform the professional and technical curriculum landscape in Northern Ireland with the new system extending to a wide range of occupational areas, while at the same time facilitating progression up the skills ladder from level 3 (A Level) to level 8 (Doctorate).
For more information on the Apprentice of the Year Awards or to download nomination forms visit: http://www.delni.gov.uk/aotyawards.