Waterford resident wins ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award at national ceremony
Jan Mil, who is based in Dungarvan, County Waterford, won the award at a ceremony at the RDS in Dublin
A County Waterford resident has won an ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award at a national ceremony in Dublin.
Dungarvan-based apprentice Jan Mil won the Apprentice of the Year - Motor Industry award at Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony.
Originally hailing from Trutnov, Czech Republic and a proud resident of Dungarvan for a number of years, Jan is in his fourth year of completing his motor mechanics apprenticeship.
He is building a future career with Paul Drummy Motors in Dungarvan, servicing and repairing all makes and models of cars and working towards his qualification as a motor mechanic.
The 23-year-old was chosen as just one of 17 outstanding apprentices to win a prestigious award from a record number of 508 nominees nationwide.
The ceremony was attended by over 500 guests in Dublin’s RDS Concert Hall.
The awards recognises Jan’s leadership, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills and the contributions of apprentices in Ireland, and highlights the apprenticeship talent developing across County Waterford and beyond.
Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin TD presented 17 awards, including the overall Apprentice of the Year award to Sapna Sian of Limerick and the motor industry award to Waterford’s own Jan.
Jan Mil, winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award (Motor) said: “Receiving this Motor Industry Award is a fantastic honour and a very proud and unexpected moment for me.
“My motor mechanics apprenticeship with Paul Drummy Motors has enabled me to develop the practical expertise needed to succeed in the motor mechanics industry, with great mentorship from the team at Paul Drummy motors while continuing to build my technical knowledge and build confidence in my work.
“Apprenticeship is a rewarding pathway for anyone who enjoys learning through hands-on experience, and I am delighted to have my skills recognised with this special award and achievement.”
Speaking at the awards event, Minister Harkin said: “Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce.
“ I congratulate Jan Mil on this incredible achievement, along with all 508 nominees. Their talent, commitment and skills are helping to shape Ireland’s future workforce.”
Deirdre Mc Donnell, CEO of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland added: “Apprenticeships provide a valuable pathway to rewarding careers and help employers develop the skills they need. Congratulations to Jan Mil, 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.