Meet SWC students who have chosen the apprenticeship Pathway to help them get ahead in their career.

As part of Northern Ireland (NI) Apprenticeship Week 2025, students from South West College (SWC) who have chosen the apprenticeship pathway to employment are sharing their stories to showcase how an apprenticeship can give you the training and qualifications you need to help you get ahead in your chosen career.

Running from 3-7 February, the theme this year is ‘Getting it Right for You’, highlighting that apprenticeship opportunities are varied, flexible and meet the needs of many different people as well as many sectors of our economy.

‘Apprenticeships are a fantastic entry route to ‘kick-start your career’, says Aaron Cassidy from Tempo.

When Aaron left St. Joseph’s College in Enniskillen at just 16, he knew he wanted to build a strong foundation for his future by learning a trade. Having chosen bricklaying at SWC, Omagh campus, Aaron is now well on his way to completing his Level 3 Apprenticeship in Brickwork, setting himself up for a promising career that has already seen him gain invaluable skills and experiences, including competing in the prestigious WorldSkills competitions all while he earns a salary and accumulates no student debt.

Speaking about his experience, Aaron said: “Every day, I feel like I’m learning and improving while earning at the same time, which is the perfect combination. The opportunity to compete in WorldSkills competitions has further enhanced my knowledge and skills. The competitions have been challenging, but I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to take part.”

His advice to others considering an apprenticeship is clear, Aaron said: “Take the leap. You’ll gain hands-on experience, earn while you learn, and open doors to incredible opportunities, like I have.”

Former SWC Electrical apprentice Daniel Knox, from Enniskillen who studied at the Enniskillen Technology and Skills Centre and is employed by GP Electrical & Security, highly recommends the apprenticeship route.

In just two years, Daniel has risen from apprentice to one of the top electricians in the world, earning a Medallion for Excellence in Electrical Installation at the prestigious WorldSkills Lyon 2024 competition.

As one of only five students from Northern Ireland to represent Team UK at this year’s international event in Lyon, France, Daniel credits the apprenticeship pathway for making this incredible achievement possible.

Reflecting on his journey, Daniel, now a fully qualified electrician, said:

"For others seeking to enter the sector, I would encourage them to join the electrical apprenticeship at SWC, as you will not only be earning and learning, but you will have the opportunity to compete in professionally organised and challenging skills competitions that will help you improve your confidence and skill set."

Similarly, Dungannon student, Kim Hunter, opted to study as a Level 3 Gold Engineering apprentice while employed at Greiner Packaging. Kim who was shortlisted in the NI Apprenticeship Awards last year, said:

“The apprenticeship route gave me the independence of being able to study and gain UCAS points whilst also getting work experience in Greiner and becoming financially stable. I’ve always had a passion for engineering and being able to gain valuable skills from other people in the industry and study at the same time was a far more practical option in my opinion for me than A levels.”

Christopher Robinson, Head of Work-based Learning at SWC, said:

“NI Apprenticeship Week showcases the wide-ranging benefits of apprenticeships for all ages as well as young people ready to start a career and to local employers wanting to strengthen their skills base. Apprenticeships provide students with the knowledge and skills for careers that will provide them with the best possible job opportunities for their future.

“Apprenticeships are about much more than ‘learning a trade,’ the range of industries offering apprenticeships has never been more varied, they are a steppingstone to wherever you want to go, be it higher education, career progression, working globally, or owning your own business. At South West College, we offer a wide range of apprenticeships including hairdressing, construction, engineering, plumbing, computing and lots more.”

It’s not just the traditional “earn as you learn” apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3 that people are choosing. SWC also offer a wide range of Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) including Accountancy, Business, Hospitality & Tourism, Computing, Construction & Engineering and we currently have almost 600 students studying as HLAs. At the college.

Noreen McGirr, HLA Manager at SWC said: ‘HLAs are a real alternative route to gaining your degree without going directly to University, and over 30% of our current HLA cohort are grammar school students who have made the choice to take the HLA route where they can gain invaluable industry experience while obtaining their degree’.

Alana Hunter, from Castlederg, decided to pursue higher education locally studying Level 4 Accounting Technician Ireland (ATI) programme as a HLA employed at McAleer Jackson.

Alana, who ranked among the top ten in Ireland following the ATI May 2024 exams, said:
“Choosing the HLA route was absolutely the right decision for me, and I have no regrets about not going to university. All your fees are covered, you earn a salary while gaining practical experience, you get paid on your study days and even receive three weeks of paid study leave before exams. After a year on this path, I can confidently say it’s a truly beneficial choice.”

Alana’s Mum echoed this, saying: “My daughter had applied to university and received conditional offers, but as the time drew closer, she became unsure about her decision. When she chose to study at SWC and take the HLA route, I was fully supportive. The bonus was that she would be earning a salary while studying and avoiding the burden of large university fees. She has often said how happy she is with her choice, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I’m exceptionally proud of how well she has done in her exams and all that she has achieved.”

Similarly, Alex Clements and Jake Reid, both from Sixmilecross and former students of Omagh Academy, chose SWC as their first choice and shared their positive experiences as HLAs while completing an Ulster University Foundation Degree in Civil Engineering at the Colleges Omagh campus.

Both have since advanced to studying a BSc Hons in Construction Engineering and Management at SWC.

Reflecting on his journey, Jake, now in a design role with MetStructures, said:
“Becoming a Higher-Level Apprentice was the best decision I made. Not only has it been a stepping stone in my career, but it has also confirmed that this is the industry I want to work in. I’ve seen a massive correlation between what I learn on the course and what I learn in the workplace, both working hand in hand to grow my knowledge and understanding.”

Alex, working in a contracting role with Adman, commented:
“Studying my degree locally without the need to travel or take on student debt has been fantastic. The college’s strong connections with local industry provide amazing opportunities. I’d encourage any student exploring their options to seriously consider what SWC has to offer.”

While a large number of our HLAs are post A Level students, Dungannon student Odhran McNulty is sharing his story to demonstrate that A levels and university are not the only paths to success.

Odhran began his journey with a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Construction at the College and has since progressed into higher education as a Higher Level Apprentice (HLA) in Construction Engineering with Surveying.

Speaking about his experience and the post-16 progression pathways that lead to degree-level study, Odhran said:

“I always knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship. I liked the idea of progressing and gaining as much experience as I possibly could. I went to a grammar school where A-levels and university were the typical paths, but I preferred focusing solely on construction and advancing through a higher-level apprenticeship. The main benefit of completing my BTEC prior to my level 5 was I had gained much more knowledge in the construction industry compared to students who were progressing to their level 5 through school. It’s the perfect balance of earning and learning while gaining a foundation degree.”

SWC are very proud to announce that they have two HLA finalists in the overall Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards, Jane McCarron who is studying the HLA Foundation Degree in Construction Engineering with Surveying at the Skills Centre in Enniskillen and is employed by Graham and Teagan Dorman who is studying the HLA Foundation Degree in Manufacturing Engineering at our Dungannon Campus and is employed by Mallaghan.

What's it like to study as a Higher Level Apprentice, instead of going to University?

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