Kildare woman Bronwyn Villis named Ireland’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’

Bronwyn Villis, undertaking a Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship with Kerry Group has been named the overall winner of Apprentice of the Year 2024 at the Generation Apprenticeship ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards 2024, held recently at the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin. 

Coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office, the Apprentice of the Year Awards are now in their third year of celebrations, and have seen a doubling of nominations this year with a record number 400 nominations. The awards celebrate outstanding apprentice talent that exists across 70+ national Generation Apprenticeship training programmes in every region in Ireland, and places a rightful spotlight on the talent, skills and contributions over 28,000 apprentices provide to workplaces and diverse industries across Ireland.

Commenting on winning the National Apprentice of the Year title, Bronwyn Villis said: "I am over the moon to be named Ireland's National Apprentice of the Year 2024! I am so proud and humbled to be recognised with this honour among 400 outstanding nominees - what an incredible achievement! I gratefully accept this honour on behalf of the entire community of diverse, talented apprentices everywhere - and I want to thank my family, friends and especially my employer, Kerry Group for all of the support, encouragement and guidance they have given me so far in my apprentice journey.

“Winning the Apprentice of the Year Award and Biopharma Award proves that hard work can pay off, and I encourage all young people and people who have been out of education for a while who are looking for a way to better their careers, particularly women, to choose the apprenticeship path, you never know what your hard work and skills can led to and this Award proves just that! Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way, and giving me the confidence to achieve even greater things as I progress in my career, I am truly humbled."

Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD presented the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award to Bronwyn Villis with the Kilcullen native also being presented with another award in the Biopharma category.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Looking at the 400 outstanding apprentices nominated for an Apprentice of the Year award this year, it is clear to see the enormous wealth of talent we have in this country. I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to every single one on their fantastic achievement. Through the continued drive for transformation of the apprenticeship system, businesses across the country have so much to gain from a highly talented pool of apprentices.”

Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office added: “The National Apprenticeship Office wish the warmest congratulations to Bronwyn Villis, the second ever female to win the national title and to all the outstanding apprentices who won industry awards spanning major skills industries. Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce, with remarkable attributes of leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. These awards not only celebrate the nominees, but also the power and impact of apprenticeship as a mode of learning and career development for people of all ages and backgrounds across all 21^st century industries in Ireland.”