16 May 2006
MODERN APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR HONOURED
A young ICT apprentice from West Belfast has been unveiled as the Modern Apprentice of the Year 2006.
Gerard O Hara, an apprentice ICT manager at St Colm's High School in the city, collected the award at a ceremony at Belfast's Waterfront Hall. He was recognised for his natural ability and flair which has led to him taking full management responsibility for the entire ICT network within the school. Not only is his work critical to the running of the school but he has also proved to be a strong role model for the pupils themselves.
Presenting Gerard with his award, Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary at the Department for Employment and Learning, said: "Gerard is a fine example of the rewards that can come from choosing the Modern Apprenticeship route into employment. The recently launched Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland highlights the benefits for the economy and the individual of investing time and effort in developing the right skills.
"I congratulate Gerard in his achievement and trust that his example will show others the tangible rewards that can come from a Modern Apprenticeship."
Referring to the recent announcement that London would host the 2011 WorldSkills competition, Mrs Bell said: "The news that London will host this prestigious event provides the whole of the UK with the opportunity to raise the status of skills and vocational education. Encouraging more young people to take this route will ensure the Skills Strategy is successful in its aim of delivering a competitive economy through raising the skills levels of the workforce."
Gerard's training is managed by Springvale Learning in Belfast, who were also recognised for their support of Gerard throughout his apprenticeship.
Also honoured at the ceremony was Catriona Russell, an apprentice hairdresser from Ballycastle, who picked up the Personal Achievement Award. Catriona, who is trained and employed by BCW Training Ltd, had moved back into training following the birth of her son. She has flourished in her chosen discipline and hopes one day to train to become an assessor herself.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Modern Apprenticeships are open to young people age 16 - 24 who are entering full time employment, or meet specified criteria for existing employees. Apprentices follow a training framework developed with the relevant industry, which includes attainment of a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3, a technical certificate and specified key skills. There are around 6,400 Modern Apprentices currently in training in Northern Ireland. They are employed by over 2,000 companies and training delivery is managed by a network of over 70 training providers.
2. The competition is aimed at young people in training under the Department for Employment and Learning's Jobskills Modern Apprenticeship programme. It recognises apprentices who have demonstrated exceptional progress in areas such as practical and theoretical ability as well as personal achievement and commitment.
3. WorldSkills is held every two years and will take place in London from 6 to 9 October 2011. The first WorldSkills competition took place in Madrid in 1950 as a forum for young people to demonstrate their vocational skills and achieve world-class standards of competence. During the 2005 Competition in Helsinki, Finland, the event attracted 118,000 visitors and 700 competitors from 40 countries.
4. The Skills Strategy Northern Ireland implementation plan was launched on 28 February 2006 by the then Minister for Employment and Learning, Angela Smith.
5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
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