Proud Murroe woman Jodie Whyte brings ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Industry Award home to Limerick

Proud Murroe woman brings prestigious ‘Apprentice of the Year’ industry award home to Limerick at National Apprentice Awards. Jodie Whyte, Manufacturing Engineer, J&J pictured receiving her Apprentice of the Year award with Mary Liz Trant, Barry Comerford.

Proud Murroe woman, Jodie Whyte, brings ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award home to Limerick at the 2024 National Apprentice Awards

Jodie Whyte, Manufacturing Engineer apprentice at Johnson and Johnson has been awarded the prestigious national ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award at the 2024 Generation Apprenticeship awards which took place on Wednesday, October 23.

The Murroe native is one of 17 finalists who took home a prestigious industry award at the awards ceremony showcasing the incredible apprentice talent in workplaces across the country.

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. The awards celebrate outstanding apprentice talent that exists across 70+ national Generation Apprenticeship training programmes in every region in Ireland.

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Jodie Whyte’s win has put a strong spotlight on Limerick’s apprentice talent, beating tough competition and exceptional talent from a record 400 nominations.

Jodie Whyte was “delighted to bring this award home to Limerick” and took the time to thank the Johnson & Johnson team as well as highlighting the importance of apprenticeships and the opportunities that come with them.

Jodie said, “I am thrilled to win an Engineering Award at the 2024 Apprentice of the Year Awards, and I’m delighted to bring this award home to Limerick! Apprenticeships are for everyone and truly can unlock opportunities for all.

“I myself came from working as a qualified chef to undertaking the Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeship and it was the best decision I have ever made, joining a fantastic team at J and J Limerick who are helping me to grow my skills, advance my knowledge and excel in my career everyday.

“I really encourage more women to choose the apprenticeship route, particularly to advance their career in STEM, there is so much opportunity for women of all ages to reach their potential with apprenticeship, and wining this award is proof of what you can achieve when you put the work in. Thank you to all at J and J and the National Apprenticeship Office for this fantastic recognition!”

Barry Commerford, National Apprenticeship Alliance member presented the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award to County Kildare’s Bronwyn Villis, Laboratory Technician and Kerry Group. He also presented the industry award to Jodie Whyte and 17 exceptional finalists who won top industry awards with Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, Patrick O’Donovan TD attending the ceremony also to congratulate Ireland’s outstanding apprentice talent.

Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan TD said the competition makes it clear “to see the enormous wealth of talent we have in this country” while congratulating the 400 nominees on their “fantastic achievement”.

He said, “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 Ireland’s Apprentice of the Year, and to Limerick’s Jodie Whyte for winning a top award in the Apprentice of the Year 2024 Engineering category, and to all the outstanding apprentices who won industry awards spanning major skills industries.

“The National Apprenticeship Office is delighted to be involved in hosting the national Apprentice of the Year awards for the third year running. 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 21st century industries in Ireland.”