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South West College Celebrates Five Nominations at the 2025 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards

05 Feb 2025

South West College (SWC) is thrilled to announce that it has secured five prestigious nominations at the 2025 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards (NIAA) with winners to be announced on 26 March 2025.

The award nominations, were revealed on 8 January, spanning eight categories, including the new Public Sector Employer (PSE) in partnership with Training Provider Award for 2025. These awards honour apprentices who exhibit exceptional dedication to professional development, as well as the partnerships between employers and training providers that foster skills growth in Northern Ireland. SWC nominations are in the following categories; two HLAs, two SMEs and one in the Mentor category.

SWC students Teagan Dorman employed by Mallaghan and studying a HLA in Manufacturing Engineering at Dungannon Campus, and Jane McCarron, employed by Graham who is studying a HLA in Construction at the Technology and Skills Centre in Enniskillen, are shortlisted for NI Higher Level Apprentice of the Year, showcasing their commitment to excellence.

Both Jane and Teagan were honoured to be shortlisted and spoke about the benefits of the HLA route.

Teagan said:

"Being shortlisted for this award is a great honour. It’s fantastic to have my hard work and dedication recognised, and it highlights the value of the HLA route in gaining experience while studying.

I chose the HLA route because I wanted to learn on the job while earning a qualification. It has allowed me to develop my skills, gain real-world work experience, and get a head start in my career, without the burden of student debt.

I would highly recommend the HLA route. You gain hands-on experience, connect with great people in the industry, and learn practical skills in a real-world environment. It’s an excellent way to build your career while earning a qualification."

In addition to these individual successes, South West College has also been nominated in several partnership-focused categories. The Small to Medium Enterprise in partnership with Training Provider Award recognises successful collaborations between SWC and Altmore Dental and JMG Systems. Furthermore, the Mentor Award highlights the exceptional support provided by Kevin McCann from Severfield (NI) Ltd, who has worked closely with SWC apprentices to foster their growth.

Dr Sarah Walls Practice Owner at Altmore Dental said: ’The Apprenticeship scheme in partnership with SWC has allowed me to offer my patients the highest standard of care through teamwork and continued education. I have been able to expand my practice reaching more patients and am looking forward to continued growth and promotion of dental excellence. For more information visit https://www.altmoredentistry.com/

Commenting on the nominations, Noreen McGirr, Higher Level Apprenticeship and Business Process Manager at SWC said:
"These nominations are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our apprentices, HLAs, SWC staff, and industry partners. At SWC, we prioritise building strong collaborations with employers to ensure apprentices excel both academically and professionally. We are honoured to have our efforts recognised at this prestigious event."

The awards are part of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week (3-7 February), led by the Department for the Economy, celebrating the impact of apprenticeships across sectors such as construction, engineering, transport, accountancy, and more. The week provides a platform for individuals of all ages to explore apprenticeship opportunities and gain insights into various industries.

Apprenticeships

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