Cork College of FET celebrated the graduation of 450 apprentices on Friday 10th November. Apprentices graduated across a range of fields, including 22 of the 25 craft apprentices three Post- 2016 apprenticeships.
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Agricultural Mechanics
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Brick & Stonelaying
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Carpentry & Joinery
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Construction Plant Fitting
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate- Electrical
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Electrical Instrumentation
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Electronic Security Systems
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Industrial Insulation
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Instrumentation
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate M.A.M.F.
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Metal Fabrication
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Motor Mechanics
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Painting & Decorating
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Pipefitting
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Plastering
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Plumbing
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Sheet Metalworking
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Toolmaking
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Vehicle Body Repairs
- Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate Wood Manufacturing
- Level 6 Accounting Technicians (Delivered in Morrisons Island Campus)
- Level 6 Auctioneering and Property Services (Delivered in Morrisons Island Campus)
- Level 5 National Craft Butchery (Delivered in Westside Hospitality Centre)
The ceremony was also attended by employers who supported and mentored the apprentices through their training.
The graduation was attended by Minister Michael McGrath T.D., Denis Leamy, CE of Cork ETB, John Fitzgibbons, Director of Further Education & Training for Cork ETB and Damien Walshe of the National Apprenticeship Office.
Speaking on the day, Minister McGrath congratulated the apprentices on their achievement saying
“Congratulations on graduating with your award here today. Apprenticeship and the skills that apprenticeships bring are key for our national economy and I am delighted to see the work that Cork College of FET, the National Apprenticeship Office and SOLAS are doing in this area. Each apprentice here today should be very proud of themselves on their amazing achievements, and I would also like to acknowledge the role of apprentices’ employers, training providers, families and friends who have supported their journey every step of the way.
Denis Leamy, CE of Cork ETB congratulated the apprentices and urged them to keep studying saying “Congratulations on your achievement. You have finished one part of your educational journey. Don’t stop here and continue to study and learn and grow. I wish you all the best in your future careers”.
Key Stories:
Our first group of National Craft Butchery apprentices graduated. They completed their training in our state-of-the-art Cork College of FET- Westside Hospitality Centre, under the expert guidance of Ger O’ Callaghan
In attendance, we had Lisa O’ Sullivan Level 6 Auctioneering and Property Services who won Apprentice of the Year in the Property category in Apprentice of the Year 2023. Commenting on her win, Lisa said :
“Earning the title of Apprentice of the Year means the world to me. Juggling a full-time job and two years of studying has been a challenging journey, but it was so work it. I am passionate about my work and I see it as my lifelong career. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction I get from helping people find new homes and embark on their next adventures. I am incredibly honoured to receive such an accolade”.
The profile of apprentices is changing- it’s not solely the preserve of school leavers. Graduating today with a QQI level 6 Certificate-Craft in Motor mechanics in her 50s is Mary Russell. Mary went back to complete her apprenticeship later in life. She urged others to follow their dreams and to take on an apprenticeship saying “No matter what your gender or age- apprenticeship is for everyone”.