Manufacturing engineering apprentice Máiríde Bennis from Castletown has won a top finalist prize at the inaugural Apprentice of the Year Awards, and received a presentation from Minister Simon Harris at the awards ceremony. Máiríde is a manufacturing engineering apprentice with Design Pro Automation in Rathkeale, and was nominated in recognition of the out-standing contribution she makes to her workplace.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister Harris said, “I want to warmly congratulate each nominee this evening on their hard work and commitment to their apprenticeship, and also thank their employers, educators and families for their ongoing support. There is a huge amount of motivation and talent on show here this evening, and I look forward to many more years of celebrating success through the Apprentice of the Year Awards.”
Congratulating Máiríde on her award, a spokesperson for Design Pro said, “In her time with us, Máiríde has shown a natural ability in every aspect of engineering; this, teamed with her exceptional work ethic, has made her an invaluable asset to our organisation. She gives 110% to every task she is assigned and is always willing to take on a challenge and step outside her comfort zone.”
Máiríde, who said she opted for an apprenticeship because she could get invaluable industry exper-ience and earn a degree with no student debt, is finalising her Level 7 Manufacturing Engineering at Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, after previously completing a Level 6 at Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick.