Eighteen apprentices from Donegal were among a group of 70 craft apprentices from across 16 apprenticeship programmes who graduated at a ceremony in Mayo on Friday.
An additional 38 Donegal apprentices, who recently qualified, were unable to attend the ceremony due to employment and other commitments.
Donegal apprentice graduates with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB Chief Executive Tom Grady, Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Alan Dillion TD and Donegal ETB apprenticeship staff. Photo Clive Wassin
Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), in collaboration with Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB), presented the graduates with their certificates, marking the completion of their training and entry into skilled careers.
Aaron Gallagher, Aaron Toner and Padraig McAteer with (l-r) Donegal ETB Area Training Manager Vinny McGroary, employer North West Alarm Systems Limited Service Manager Kevin Wallace and Donegal ETB Senior Apprenticeship Training Advisor Lorraine Murray. Photo Clive Wassin
Apprentices represented a wide range of trades, including Agricultural Mechanics, Carpentry and Joinery, Construction Plant Fitting, Electrical, Electronic Security Systems, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Instrumentation, Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting, Motor Mechanics, Metal Fabrication, Pipefitting, Plastering, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Toolmaking, and Vehicle Body Repair.
Graduates Aiden McGinley (left) and Cathal Charlton (right) with employer Eugene McBrearty, MD, KER Group, Killybegs. Photo Clive Wassin
Donegal ETB, Chief Executive Anne McHugh stated, “We are incredibly proud of all our Apprentices who graduate today. They have been supported by their family and friends throughout their apprenticeship journey, by Apprenticeship staff within their ETBs and of course by their employers, all of whom played a vital role, so today we salute all those who work so hard to prepare Apprentices for their vital role in our economy. Their skills are in demand and they are now extremely well prepared to work in Ireland or anywhere they want to go. We wish them all well as they embark on this next phase of their career.”
Donegal electrical apprentice graduate Katy McGeady with her children and Donegal ETB Senior Apprenticeship Advisor Clare Lernihan. Photo Clive Wassin
Apprenticeships are delivered through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training that allows apprentices to earn while they learn and gain an internationally recognised qualification.
In 2024, over 27,000 apprentices are currently completing their training. Over 9,200 employers are training apprentices on over 70 different programmes which lead to awards spanning Levels 5-10 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
For more information about the apprenticeship programmes available, or to become an approved employer or to register as an apprentice, contact Donegal ETB’s apprenticeship team at apprenticeship@donegaletb.ie or call 074 91 20500.