OEM Engineering Apprentices join CMETB and LMETB for National Apprenticeship Graduation 

Henry Dunne (Dennison Trailers) Jamie Quinn (Jungheinrich) Daniel Broderick (Green Equipment) Owen Moran (Dennison Trailers) Liam Crean (Combilift) Edas Morkeliunas (Combilift) Cathal McAssey (Tanco) Aaron McPhillips (Combilift) Aaron Thornton (Turmec) Peter Duffy (Turmec)

OEM Engineering Graduates joined the National Apprenticeship Awards 2024 which were held in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on Thursday 24th October.

The event was hosted by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) in partnership with Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) which presented awards to graduates of the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship and a variety of Craft Apprenticeship programmes. 

In total, 585 apprentices were invited to the graduation representing apprentices graduating since October 2023. Mr Con Ferry, Programme Director for Apprenticeship Capacity and Integration in SOLAS, presented the Advanced Craft and OEM Engineering certificates to the apprentices.

It was highlighted at the event that over 9,000 employers used apprenticeship to help support and grow their businesses in 2024, with over 27,000 apprentices currently completing their training nationally.

Along with OEM Engineering, the apprentices graduated from 14 other subject areas including Electrical, Wood Manufacturing and Finishing, Vehicle Body Repairs, Carpentry and Joinery, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Metal Fabrication, Agricultural Mechanics, Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitter, Sheet Metalworking, Toolmaking, Motor Mechanics, Construction Plant Fitting and Electronic Security Systems.

Richard Murphy (Turmec) Sam Moffett (Moffett Automation) Mark Findlay (Jungheinrich) Tony Broderick (Green Equipment)  Adam Montgomery (Moffett Automation) Martin Mc Kenna (Combilift) Anna Marie Woods (CMETB) Martin Mc Vicar (Combilift)

Speaking at the event, Dr Fiona McGrath (Chief Executive, CMETB) said: “Today’s graduation highlights the transformative power of apprenticeships for individuals and businesses alike. Apprenticeships are crucial to our regional economy and the quality of apprenticeship training in Ireland is extraordinarily high, as is demonstrated by the increasing number of apprentices nationally and the number of businesses embracing the apprenticeship model.”

Commenting on the significance of the apprenticeship pathway, Sinead McKenna, (Training Services Manager, CMETB) noted, “Apprenticeships offer an essential route for skill development in high-demand fields. We’re deeply grateful to our local employers who actively support this training model and help apprentices gain practical, industry-relevant experience. Their partnership is vital to ensuring our apprentices graduate with the expertise and confidence to excel in their careers.”

Prior to the event, Martin Mc Vicar, Director with Combilift addressed the OEM Engineering Graduates, congratulating them on their newly gained qualification, saying “Combilift are delighted to have a further four OEM Engineering Apprentices graduating”, adding “I am a real advocate of apprenticeships and putting the skills that you are learning into practice. The skills that you learn practically you will remember for life, what we learn in a textbook doesn’t always stick the same as when we learn by a hands-on approach.”

Also addressing the OEM Engineering Graduates, Sam Moffett, Managing Director of Moffett Automation conradulated the graduates saying, “It’s an honour to see the progress and success of these talented apprentices including our very own Apprentice, Ryan McHugh who was unfortunately unable to attend today. The combination of academic knowledge and hands-on experience makes this programme unique, and we are extremely lucky to have this facility on our doorstep. I also want to recognise the dedication of all mentors involved. Your commitment, guidance, and hard work have been key to the programme’s success. The apprentices have learned not just from the classroom but from your real-world expertise. Without your support, today’s achievements would not have been possible.”

Back row: Sinead Mc Kenna (CMETB) Anna Marie Woods (CMETB) Martin Mc Kenna (Combilift) Aaron Thornton (Turmec) Peter Duffy (Turmec) Jamie Quinn (Jungheinrich) Aaron McPhillips (Combilift) Daniel Broderick (Green Equipment) Liam Crean (Combilift) Henry Dunne (Dennison Trailers) Cathal Mc Assey (Tanco) Edas Morkeliunas (Combilift) Owen Moran (Dennison Trailers) Stephen Carron (CMETB) Ronan Duffy (CMETB)

Front row: Martin Mc Vicar (Combilift) Joe Mc Grath (CMETB) Linda Pinkster (CMETB) Carmel Brady (CMETB) Fiona Mc Grath (CMETB) David Maxwell (CMETB)  Mark Findlay (Jungheinrich) Kieran Davidson (Jungheinrich) Daniel Maher (Jungheinrich)

Apprenticeships offer an excellent opportunity to gain an internationally recognised qualification through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training,  allowing apprentices to earn while they learn.