Tipperary woman takes top ‘Apprentice of The Year’ industry award

Tipperary woman, Emma Grant, Hairdressing apprentice at Ní Ríain Hair, Thurles, has been awarded a national Apprentice of the Year award at a recent event in Dublin’s Mansion House.

The Killoskehan, Borrisoleigh woman’s win has put a strong spotlight on Tipperary talent, with Emma Grant selected as one of 12 award winners to win a prestigious ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Industry Award from over 330 nominations nationwide.

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Coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office, the awards are now in their fourth year.

The nominated apprentices represent exceptional talent and skills from the four corners of Ireland, across 78 apprenticeship programmes.

The awards spotlight the vital economic and social contribution of the 30,000 apprentices currently training in Ireland.

Leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills are at the heart of apprentices’ skillset and career success.

Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD presented the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award to County Offally’s David Wren, a Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter - MAMF apprentice with Novo Nordisk, and presented the Award to Tipperary’s Emma Grant and 11 other exceptional finalists.

Presenting the awards, Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, said: “The 330 plus outstanding apprentices nominated for an Apprentice of the Year Award this year demonstrate the enormous wealth of talent we have in this country. I wish to offer Emma Grant, Hairdressing Award winner, my heartfelt congratulations, and to each and every apprentice on their fantastic achievement.”

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Dr Mary-Liz Trant, Executive Director at SOLAS added: “Apprentices are at the forefront of skills development in Ireland, providing superb talent and innovation in businesses across the country. These awards celebrate the nominees and showcase the exciting career opportunities that national apprenticeships provide for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Winner of the Apprenticeship Hairdressing Award, Emma Grant said: “It’s an absolute privilege to accept this special Apprentice of the Year Hairdressing Award. My sincere thanks go to my fantastic team at Ni Rian Hair in Thurles for the unwavering support and mentorship they have shown me throughout my apprenticeship. I am immensely proud to represent Tipperary, and to celebrate this milestone in my career. This achievement motivates me to keep striving for excellence in my field.”

Ireland’s International Rose of Tralee 2025 and electrical apprentice, Katelyn Cummins was a special guest on the night, with Katelyn awarded the ‘Outstanding Ambassador’ Award, in recognition of her role to raise the profile of apprenticeship careers in Ireland, and in particular as a valued and exciting career path for women.