Conor flies high as Apprentice of the Year 2012

A YOUNG Bombardier apprentice from Lisburn has been crowned Northern Ireland’s Apprentice of the Year for 2012.

Conor Crossey triumphed at a ceremony hosted by TV presenter Claire McCollum at Belfast’s Holiday Inn.

Conor, 22, started his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship with Bombardier in Belfast three years ago. He was selected out of several hundred applicants for one of only 40 places on the Bombardier Apprenticeship Programme. It has been said by his work tutors that he demonstrates the confidence, output and quality control of someone twice his age.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Congratulating Conor, Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, said: “Apprentices are right at the heart of the kind of economy we want to build, and play a vital role in ensuring that we have a better skilled, modern and dynamic workforce. Investing in training is critical to ensure we are equipped with the skills necessary for the opportunities that will undoubtedly lie ahead. What we have witnessed here today is a testament to the real skills and talent Northern Ireland has to offer.”

Stephen Snowdon from Bombardier said: “Conor’s ability and keenness to take in new information has been clear for all to see, he always asks questions until he is satisfied, and then has a thirst to try out for himself and develop what he has just learnt. His commitment to go further than is needed is demonstrated by the fact that he is achieving distinctions in BTec Aeronautical Engineering at Belfast Metropolitan College which he is undertaking in addition to his apprenticeship. If he keeps developing at this rate he will be a major asset to the company.”

There are over 11,000 apprentices currently in training in Northern Ireland. All are following a training framework developed with the relevant industry sector, which includes attainment of a Vocational Qualification, a technical certificate and, if required, specified essential skills.

The Apprentice of the Year competition is open to those currently on the Department for Employment and Learning’s Apprenticeships programmes and showcases excellence in apprenticeship training. ApprenticeshipsNI is part-funded by the European Social Fund Priority 2 measure.