Nine outstanding apprentices from Laois have been shortlisted for the Fourth National Apprentice of the Year Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, October 21, in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin.
The prestigious event, hosted by the National Apprenticeship Office, celebrates excellence, skill and dedication across Ireland’s rapidly growing apprenticeship system.
More than 300 nominees from around the country will attend, alongside employers, educators, and industry partners, marking one of the biggest showcases yet of apprenticeship talent in Ireland.
Laois Shines on the National Stage
County Laois is making a particularly strong showing this year, with nine apprentices recognised across a range of industries — from logistics and electrical work to insurance, hairdressing and retail.
The Laois nominees are:
- Aisling O’Donnell – Certa, Transport Operations and Commercial Driving (2nd Year)
- Allie Brown – Bankz Hair Group, Hairdressing (2nd Year)
- Brian McDermott – Certa, Supply Chain Specialist (1st Year)
- Jakub Zaruski – Campion Insurance, Insurance Practitioner (1st Year)
- Jessica Hewitt – Bankz Hair Group, Hairdressing (1st Year)
- Kasey Holohan – Redmond’s Hair and Beauty, Hairdressing (1st Year)
- Matt Geoghegan – Certa, Retail Supervision (1st Year)
- Pheilim O’Kane – Kevin Coleman Electrical & Gas, Electrical (4th Year)
- Sabine Evele – H2 Properties ULC Corrib Oil, Retail Supervision (2nd Year)
Supported by the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), and in one case by the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), these nominees represent the full spectrum of modern apprenticeship opportunities – combining classroom learning with hands-on experience across both traditional and emerging industries.
In a further mark of distinction for the county, the current International Rose of Tralee, Katelyn Cummins, who is an electrical apprentice with Alpha Drives in Portlaoise, will attend as a special guest and will receive a recognition award during the ceremony.
Her inclusion as an honoured guest alongside the nominees reflects the growing public recognition of apprenticeship pathways as a valued and prestigious route to professional achievement.
Celebrating Ireland’s Apprentices
The evening will begin with a welcome reception at 6.30pm, followed by an introduction and showcase video, and a Q&A with 2024 award winners.
Among the highlights will be the “Facts, Faces, Futures” Outstanding Ambassador Award, before Minister Lawless takes the stage to announce twelve category winners and the overall 2025 National Apprentice of the Year.
Why Apprenticeships Matter
In a previous article, we explored how apprenticeships are transforming Ireland’s approach to education and employment, and the Laois contingent this year embodies those benefits.
Apprenticeships allow participants to earn while they learn, building qualifications, confidence, and career experience simultaneously.
Employers benefit too, nurturing talent that meets their real-world needs while contributing to local economies.
Many apprentices go on to senior roles or further qualifications, while others use their experience as a foundation to start their own businesses.
A Proud Moment for Laois
The presence of nine Laois apprentices at the fourth National Apprentice of the Year Awards is a point of pride for the county and a testament to the success of regional training and education partnerships.
Whether or not any of them take home the top honours, their inclusion on the national stage sends a powerful message: apprenticeships are not just an alternative to traditional education, they are a proven, respected, and rewarding path to a bright future.
Martina Mulhall, Gold Star Careers offers one-to-one or small group career advice, in-person or online, to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Follow on Instagram for updates and reminders about all things careers, or head over to the website to book a personalised guidance session.
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