The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards ceremony took place in Belfast. Engineer Paula Bamford received the Apprentice of the Year award. Chef Grace Dugan won Higher Level Apprentice of the Year. Horticulturist Jacob Meekin earned Public Sector Apprentice of the Year.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald attended the event. She stated that apprenticeships help build the skilled workforce needed for economic growth, innovation and competitiveness.

Archibald called the awards a recognition of individuals and organisations that transform their futures and contribute to economic skills, productivity and benefits.

Paula Bamford works at Caterpillar and studies at Northern Regional College. Grace Dugan is employed at Culloden Estate and Spa and studies at South Eastern Regional College. Jacob Meekin works at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and studies at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Other winners included Brian Welsh from Harland and Wolffe, nominated by Northern Regional College. Sleepy Hollow Group partnered with Belfast Met. CB Bell partnered with Impact Training. PSNI partnered with Belfast Met.

More than 16,000 apprentices participate in Department for the Economy programmes. These cover almost 200 pathways, including traditional trades like joinery and plumbing, and sectors such as cybersecurity, food innovation and FinTech management.