Waterford Youth Training Centre scoops top national award

Members of Waterford Youth Training Group have scooped a major national award in a competition aimed at showcasing how apprenticeships fuel greener futures for Ireland’s young people.

The National Apprenticeship Office announced Waterford Youth Training and Education Centre (WYTEC) learners as a top prize winner in the prestigious Generation Apprenticeship competition for second-level schools and centres.

The Waterford students beat off tough competitors from schools across the four corners of Ireland.

The Pathway to Apprenticeship Group at WYTEC, in Ballinananeashagh, scooped one of just three national awards, impressing competition judges with the exceptional knowledge, design and creative skills shown in their award-winning, 'Generation Apprentice', project that highlighted green and sustainable skills in apprenticeship.

A spokesperson for the competition organisers said the student put a spotlight on local Waterford, the school won the top prize in the ‘A Build’ category, for a unique project that demonstrated ways in which apprenticeships offer green, sustainable career paths for Ireland’s school leavers, helping to fuel a greener future forward to support the next generation of skills talent in Ireland.

SOLAS, the further education and training authority, together with the National Apprenticeship Office is leading the way in delivering Ireland’s first National FET Strategy for the Green Transition – Green Skills 2030, with apprenticeships a key focus for future green skills development.

Rebecca Ryan, General Manager at Waterford Youth Training and Education Centre (WYTEC) said: “On behalf of all the entire staff and learners across Waterford Youth Training and Education Centre (WYTEC), I would like to wish our warmest congratulations to our talented Pathway to Apprenticeship & Practical Skills learner group on this exciting award win."

"At WYTEC, we recognise that every learner has unique interests, skills and different ways of learning," said Ms Ryan.

She said the competition offered a great opportunity for learners to find out more about the many pathways they can take after Leaving Certificate or finishing school.

“We are so proud of our students for demonstrating what they’ve learned about apprenticeships, and the breadth of exciting careers they offer, where sustainability and green values are at the core of each programme," she said.

Leon Lam, representating the Pathway to Apprenticeship/Practical Skills Group winners at WYTEC said: “We’re delighted to accept this award, it’s a clear proof of the hard work and effort our team of fifteen put into this project."

"As pre-apprenticeship learners, we each have a strong interest in learning new skills and exploring apprenticeship pathways," said Leon.

“We enjoyed digging deeper into each particular programme, demonstrating how many apprenticeships drive positive climate action goals and sustainable practices in our 3D A model. We had great fun putting our creative skills to the test, reusing recycled materials and working together as a team, and we are so proud to take this award back to Waterford.”

Con Ferry, SOLAS Director of Apprenticeship Integration and Capacity also commented on the awards and said: “Apprenticeships are a valued and recognised pathway for school leavers, offering over 80 programmes nationwide."

"They provide practical skills and real opportunities for sustainable, rewarding careers across a wide range of industries and equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to the global green transition, across a multitude of modern industries," he said.

“Standing at the very heart of Ireland’s national apprenticeship system is a real commitment towards embedding green skills, reducing environmental impact, and increasing sustainable practices across apprenticeship programme delivery and design," he added.

Find more information on the Generation Apprenticeship Competition for Second Level Schools and Centres at www.apprenticeship.ie.