Tipperary woman takes home award at Apprentice of the Year awards

Carrick-on-Suir woman Leah Maguire, Accounting Technician apprentice at Eolas Money has received a national award at the Generation Apprenticeship Apprentice of the Year awards 2024, held in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin on Wednesday, October 23.

Leah Maguire is one of 17 finalists who took home an industry award at the awards ceremony that showcases the breadth of apprentice talent that exists in workplaces right across Ireland.

Coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office, the Apprentice of the Year Awards are now in their third year of celebrations and have seen a doubling of nominations this year.

The awards celebrate outstanding apprentice talent that exists across 70+ national Generation Apprenticeship training programmes in every region in Ireland.

Carrick-on-Suir woman Leah Maguire’s win has put a strong spotlight on Tipperary talent, beating tough competition and exceptional talent from a record number 400 Apprentice of the Year award nominations.

Barry Comerford, National Apprenticeship Alliance Board member presented the industry award to Tipperary’s Leah Maguire and 17 exceptional finalists.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD presented the overall Apprentice of the Year award to County Kildare’s Bronwyn Villis, a Laboratory Technician apprentice with Kerry Group.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Looking at the 400 outstanding apprentices nominated for an Apprentice of the Year award this year, it is clear to see the enormous wealth of talent we have in this country. I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to every single one on their fantastic achievement.”

“Through the continued drive for transformation of the apprenticeship system, businesses across the country have so much to gain from a highly talented pool of apprentices.”

Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office added: “The National Apprenticeship Office wish the warmest congratulations to Leah Maguire on winning a top award in the Apprentice of the Year 2024 Finance category, and to all the outstanding apprentices who won industry awards spanning major skills industries.

“The National Apprenticeship Office is delighted to be involved in hosting the national Apprentice of the Year awards for the third year running. Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce, with remarkable attributes of leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. These awards not only celebrate the nominees, but also the power and impact of apprenticeship as a mode of learning and career development for people of all ages and backgrounds across all 21st century industries in Ireland.”

Hailing from Carrick-on-Suir, Leah Maguire said of her win: "As a trainee Financial Adviser, I am so proud to accept the Generation Apprenticeship Finalist Award in Finance and Insurance, I am so thrilled to bring this award home to Tipperary! I am delighted to have my skills and passion recognised. There is so much to learn about the fascinating financial services sector, and I enjoy working with the team supporting our clients at Eolas Money with the skills I have gained as an apprentice. This award proves that I have chosen the right career path, and the passion and hard work I put in has paid off. A big thank you to all at Eolas Money for the nomination, and thank you to everyone for the support, it means so much to me."