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Castlewellan girl Anna Pawlowska has had her achievement recognised at the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Awards where she was winner in the Recognition Award category. Anna, 25, is following an apprenticeship in Health and Social Care at Southern Regional College, Newry Campus and is employed by Corriewood Private Clinic in Castlewellan.
The awards ceremony, organised by the Department for Employment and Learning, was held in Belfast’s Holiday Inn and was hosted by TV presenter Claire McCollum. The Recognition Award is presented to the apprentice who has overcome challenges or obstacles and who through personal determination has achieved skills and qualifications during their time on ApprenticeshipsNI.
Congratulating the winners, the Department for Employment and Learning’s Permanent Secretary Alan Shannon said: “The Apprentice of the Year Awards are testimony to the real skills and talent Northern Ireland has to offer. Apprenticeships play a vital role in ensuring that we have a better skilled, modern and dynamic workforce to drive our economy forward. Apprenticeships work for both businesses and individuals, providing companies with a skilled workforce to help them grow and giving individuals such as Anna both hands-on experience and qualifications.”
Speaking about her success, Anna said: “Since commencing my apprenticeship I have developed both personally and professionally. Approximately three years ago I started working in the area of care, since then I have worked to develop skills in this area, undertaking studies in Dementia Awareness, Epilepsy Awareness, Health and Safety and First Aid. When the opportunity to complete the Apprenticeship scheme was offered by my manager I knew I had the determination and commitment to achieve.”
Teresa McClean from Corriewood Private Clinic in Castlewellan said: “Anna is an excellent member of the team in the care setting, based in the area of learning disability. Anna commenced employment in 2010 and since then has continually developed skills in care. Anna is worthy of this award as she is committed to the caring profession and the clients in her care.”
Mairead Ruddle from Southern Regional College in Newry said: “Anna is an inspiration, she is motivational and enthusiastic. Anna has engaged fully in her programme of study and approaches personal development in a professional manner.”
There are over 9,000 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 necessary 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.
