Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board Celebrates 185 New Apprenticeship Graduates at National Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony in Clonmel
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary – Friday, October 4, 2024
A momentous celebration took place at Hotel Minella in Clonmel as newly qualified apprentices from Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB), Tipperary Education and Training Board (TETB), and Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) gathered to mark their graduation. The event, attended by family, friends, employers and teaching staff, honoured the apprentices for their successful completion of training across 18 different apprenticeship programmes in five key industry sectors: engineering, electrical, motor, construction, and hospitality and food.
Eileen Curtis, Chief Executive of KCETB, expressed her pride in the apprentices’ achievement, “These graduates represent the next generation of skilled professionals who are in high demand across the country. Their contributions will help drive the growth and development of our regional and national economy.” She continued, “We are keen to further support Apprenticeship training across the region and are delighted to progress to the next stage of the establishment of the new College of Further Education and Training in Kilkenny at our site at Danville Business Park. This dedicated space will provide increased capacity for apprenticeship training and support the continuing demand for skilled workers in the region”.
Hosted by Tipperary ETB, the ceremony featured a keynote speech from Dr. Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office, who commended the apprentices for their dedication and resilience throughout their studies. She emphasised the importance of apprenticeships in providing high-quality, skilled professionals who will shape the future of Ireland’s workforce.
Virginia Bohan, Senior Training Advisor at KCETB, highlighted that the graduation ceremony was a powerful testament to the expanding role of apprenticeships in Ireland’s education system. “With over 28,000 apprentices currently enrolled in 77 apprenticeship programmes across the country, this growing participation underscores the increasing recognition of apprenticeships as a valuable and rewarding career path,” she said.
The ceremony also highlighted the continued collaboration between education providers and industry partners, ensuring that apprenticeship programmes align with the evolving needs of the workforce.
Jerry Fogarty, of Jerry Fogarty Electrical, attended the graduation ceremony, expressing pride in the achievements of the apprentices and particularly his apprentice Jayson Alley. “As an employer, we are incredibly proud to see our apprentice graduate today. Apprenticeships are not only an investment in the future of these talented individuals, but also in the future of our business. Through hands-on training and real-world experience, we help apprentices build essential skills while developing a workforce that is both skilled and adaptable. It’s a win-win—empowering young professionals to succeed while driving the long-term growth and success of our company,’” he said.
For further information on Apprenticeship Programmes with Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, please contact:
South Kilkenny and South Carlow:
Virginia Bohan – Senior Training Advisor
Tel: 087 122 0882
Email: virginia.bohan@kcetb.ie
North Kilkenny and Kilkenny City:
Tomás McCarthy – Senior Training Advisor
Tel: 087 683 2633
Email: tomas.mccarthy@kilkennycarlowetb.ie
North Carlow and Carlow Town:
Patricia Nolan – Senior Training Advisor
Tel: 087 6646784
Email: patricia.nolan@kilkennycarlowetb.ie