Locals fêted at launch of new apprenticeship workshops

THREE local apprentices were celebrated at last week’s launch of Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board’s (KCETB) new electrical apprenticeship workshops and classrooms.

Quentin Smyth of Burnside Autocyl in Carlow, who won a gold medal in polymechanics automation at the WorldSkills competition in the RDS, Dublin last September, was celebrated alongside Sam Greene of Magna International Autolaunch Ireland Ltd, who was also awarded with a gold medal in toolmaking at WorldSkills.

Samantha Byrne of Vanilla Hair Design in Carlow, who was awarded the Workplace Mentor of the Year Award at the 2024 National Apprenticeship Awards, was also fêted at the launch.

“We are incredibly proud of the success of our apprentices and these new facilities represent a significant investment in the future of apprenticeship training in Kilkenny and Carlow,” said Eileen Curtis, chief executive of KCETB.

“As an organisation, we are committed to supporting the growth of skilled trades and providing our learners with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their careers. The new workshops and classrooms will play a crucial role in this vision.” The launch, held at the College of Further Education and Training Campus in Kilkenny, marked the official opening of two new electrical workshops and four new classrooms.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by cllr Andrea Dalton, chairperson of KCETB, who was joined by other members of the board, KCETB chief executive of Eileen Curtis, director of further education and training Martha Bolger and KCETB staff to celebrate this exciting development.

A total of 112 electrical apprentices will attend this facility for the second phase of their apprenticeship in 2025.