Offaly man chosen as winner of prestigious National Apprentice of the Year

An Offaly man has been named as the winner of the prestigious National Apprentice of the Year

The National Apprenticeship Office has announced that David Wren from Ferbane has been named Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year 2025.

The awards were presented by Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, at a ceremony in the Mansion House, Dublin, alongside 12 exceptional finalists.

Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office, the Apprentice of the Year awards shine a spotlight on the dynamic community of almost 30,000 apprentices who are driving innovation and excellence across Irish workplaces.

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The Apprentice of the Year title celebrates not just individual talent, but also the vital contribution these apprentices make to the evolving Irish workforce. David Wren, from Offaly is currently undertaking the Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter (MAMF) apprenticeship with Novo Nordisk Ireland and was selected from over 330 nominations representing every region of the country.

Highlighting the significant achievements of the apprenticeship community, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless said: “The Apprentice of the Year Awards is more than a celebration of winners, it’s a celebration of the journeys they represent: journeys of learning, growth, and ambition. With 78 apprenticeship programmes now spanning everything from construction to beauty therapy and ICT, the opportunities have never been greater. Today, you can become a social worker or a civil engineer through the apprenticeship route, careers once reserved for traditional higher education. This is real opportunity in action.”

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Presenting the awards, Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, commented: “The 330 plus outstanding apprentices nominated for an Apprentice of the Year award this year demonstrate the enormous wealth of talent we have in this country. I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one on their fantastic achievement. Through the continued drive for transformation of the apprenticeship system, businesses of all sizes and sectors have so much to gain from a highly talented pool of apprentices.”

Dr Mary-Liz Trant, Executive Director at SOLAS added: “Apprentices are at the very forefront of skills development in Ireland, building the future of Irish industry and providing superb talent and innovation pipeline to businesses across the country, with remarkable attributes of leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.”

International Rose of Tralee 2025 and electrical apprentice, Katelyn Cummins was presented with the Generation Apprenticeship Outstanding Ambassador award for her outstanding contribution to raising awareness of apprenticeships as a valued career pathway for young women across the country.

The 12 Apprentice of the Year industry award winners for 2025 were announced including;

David Wren, undertaking a Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter (MAMF) apprenticeship with Novo Nordisk Ireland, Santry, Overall winner of Apprentice of the Year 2025 and ‘Engineering & Biopharma’ Award, Co. Offaly

Cian Healy, undertaking a Logistics Associate apprenticeship with Johnson & Johnson, Vision Care Ireland, Limerick, ‘ICT & Logistics’ Award winner, Co. Limerick

Emma Grant, undertaking a Hairdressing apprenticeship with Ní Riain Hair Salon, Thurles, ‘Hairdressing’ Award winner, Co. Tipperary

Angela Comerford Lynch, undertaking an Accounting Technician apprenticeship with UHY Farrelly Dawe White Limited, Balbriggan, ‘Finance’ Award winner, Co. Dublin

Emma McCann, undertaking an Electrical apprenticeship Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, Dublin, ‘Electrical’ Award winner, Co Laois

Kevin Clohessy undertaking an Electrical apprenticeship with Kirby Group, Dublin 8, ‘Electrical’ Award winner, Co. Clare
Theo Holohan, undertaking a Carpentry & Joinery apprenticeship with John Sisk & Son Ltd, Citywest, ‘Construction’ Award winner, Co Dublin

Cameron McMeel, undertaking a Heavy Vehicle Mechanics apprenticeship with Monaghan County Council, Tirkeenan, Monaghan, ‘Motor’ Award winner, Co. Monaghan

Joanne Leahy, undertaking a Commis Chef apprenticeship, with Lenehans Bar, Kilkenny, ‘Hospitality, Food & Agriculture’ Award winner, Co. Kilkenny

Molly Proudfoot, undertaking a Sales apprenticeship, with the Talbot Hotel Clonmel, Tipperary, ‘Retail, Sales & Property Services’ Award Winner, Co. Tipperary

Sinéad Graham, undertaking a Sales apprenticeship with Ascentus, Mayo, ‘Retail, Sales & Property Services’ Award Winner, Co. Mayo

Gavin Monaghan undertaking an Insurance Practitioner apprenticeship with Walfrid Private, Ballymount, Dublin, ‘Insurance & Recruitment’ Award winner, Co. Dublin

Find out more about apprenticeships at www.apprenticeship.ie