Tipperary hairdresser wins 2026 Apprentice of the Year award

Simon Smith, a 24-year-old hairdressing apprentice from Clonmel, Tipperary has won a top Apprentice of the Year ‘Hairdressing’ Industry award accolade at Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony.

The 24-year-old hairdressing apprentice now in his third year of completing a hairdressing apprenticeship with Foxy Locks Hair Salon in Clonmel was selected as one of the top award winners from a record number 508 nominations nationwide.

The award was presented to Simon Smith by Minister Marian Harkin TD, at the national awards showcase held recently in the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin, attended by more than 500 guests.

Simon’s win proves that Tipperary apprentice talent is shining bright, with two of 17 Apprentice of the Year industry awards presented to Tipperary-grown talent, with Simon winning a top ‘Hairdressing’ industry award and Templetuohy, Thurles native Darragh Sweeney, a fourth-year electrical apprentice working with H&MV Engineering in Castletroy, Limerick presented with an ‘Electrical’ industry award.

The award recognizes both Simon’s leadership, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills in the Hairdressing industry, and highlights outstanding apprenticeship talent developing across Tipperary, with the awards showcase celebrating the vast contributions over 31,000 apprentices provide to industries and workplaces across Ireland.

Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin TD presented 17 awards, including the ‘Hairdressing’ award to Clonmel’s own Simon Smith, and ‘Electrical’ award to Thurlesman Darragh Sweeney, and presented the overall Apprentice of the Year award to Sapna Sian, a Manufacturing Technology apprentice with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in Limerick.

Simon Smith, winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award (Hairdressing) said: “Winning Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year is an incredible achievement, and I’m extremely proud to have been recognised for the hard work, dedication and passion I’ve put into my apprenticeship. I’m very grateful to Mary Teresa and everyone at Foxylocks, WWETB as well as my friends and family for their continued support, encouragement and guidance throughout my journey. This award means a lot to me and motivates me to keep pushing myself, developing my skills and achieving more within the hairdressing industry.”

Speaking at the awards event, Minister Harkin said: “Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce. I wish to congratulate Simon Smith and Darragh Sweeney on this incredible achievement, along with all 508 nominees. Their talent, commitment and skills are helping to shape Ireland’s future workforce.”

Deirdre McDonnell, CEO at SOLAS added: “Apprenticeships provide a valuable pathway to rewarding careers and help employers develop the skills they need. Congratulations to Simon, Darragh and all 17 award winners and every nominee on this well-deserved recognition.”

Hazel Johnston, the 2023 National Apprentice of the Year and a graduate of the Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship, was presented with a ‘2026 Facts, Faces, Futures Outstanding Ambassador’ Award, recognising her contribution to raising awareness of apprenticeship as a career pathway for women.”

Overseen by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, the National Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrates the finest talent across the apprenticeship system in Ireland who are building successful and rewarding careers with apprenticeships.

Apprentices can be nominated by employers, training providers or anyone who knows an apprentice well. Nominees are judged on their skills and qualities in areas including leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.