Sapna Sian named Ireland’s Overall National Apprentice of the Year 2026

Sapna Sian has been named Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year 2026, taking the top honour at the National Apprentice of the Year Awards in Dublin.

Sapna, who has completed a Manufacturing Technology apprenticeship with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in Limerick, was selected from a record 508 nominations from across Ireland. She is the third woman to win the overall award.

The award was presented at a ceremony in the RDS, Dublin by Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD. Fifteen other outstanding apprentices were also recognised with finalist awards across a range of industries.

Coordinated by the Apprenticeship Team at SOLAS, the National Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices and highlight the leadership, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills apprentices bring to workplaces across Ireland.

The awards also recognise the contribution apprentices make to Ireland’s workforce and showcase apprenticeship as a valuable career and learning pathway. More than 31,000 people are currently undertaking apprenticeships across the country.

Presenting the awards, Minister of State [MO2] for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, commented:

“I am honoured to celebrate the 508 exceptional apprentices nominated for an Apprentice of the Year Award this year, and to recognise 16 outstanding apprentices nominated for their achievements.”

“Each nominee reflects the talent, energy and skills that more than 31,000 apprentices bring to their work and learning every day. I warmly congratulate all of this year’s nominees and thank employers, industry partners and training providers for their commitment to developing apprentice talent and helping to build a future-ready national apprenticeship system in Ireland.”

Hazel Johnston, the 2023 National Apprentice of the Year and a graduate of the Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship, was also presented with the 2026 Facts, Faces, Futures  Outstanding Ambassador Award, recognising her contribution to raising awareness of apprenticeship as a career pathway for women.

The National Apprentice of the Year Award winners for 2026 are:

·       Overall Apprentice of the Year Award winner: Sapna Sian, Manufacturing Technology apprentice graduate, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Limerick, Overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Award winner 2026

·       Engineering Industry Award winner: Sapna Sian, Manufacturing Technology apprentice graduate, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Limerick,and recipient of a national industry award (Engineering)

·       Engineering Industry Award winner: Kyran Brady, Lean Sigma Manager apprentice graduate at Amazon Ireland, Newbridge, Kildare, recipient of a national industry award (Engineering)

·       Horticulture & Biopharma Industry Award: Hollie Foley, Laboratory Analyst apprentice graduate, MSD Ireland, Carlow, recipient of a national industry award (Agriculture, Horticulture & Biopharma)

·       Construction Industry Award winner:  Seán Bermingham, Stonecutting and Stonemasonry apprentice, Irish Natural Stone Ltd, Ardrahan, Galway/Clare, recipient of a national industry award (Construction)

·       Construction Industry Award winner:  Sofia Kahwaji, third year Electrical Instrumentation apprentice, Pfizer, Midleton, Cork, recipient of a national industry award (Construction)

·       Electrical Industry Award winner: Darragh Sweeney, fourth year Electrical apprentice at HMV Engineering, Thurles, Tipperary, recipient of a national industry award (Electrical)

·       Finance and Recruitment Industry Award winner: Rebecca Keane, second year Recruitment Executive apprentice at Public Jobs, Lucan, Dublin, and recipient of a national industry award (Finance & Recruitment)

·       Hairdressing Industry Award winner: Molly Carroll, second year Hairdressing apprentice at Vanilla Hair Design, Clonegal, Carlow, recipient of a national industry award (Hairdressing)

·       Hairdressing Industry Award winner: Simon Smith, third year Hairdressing apprentice at Foxy Locks, Clonmel, Tipperary, recipient of a national industry award (Hairdressing)

·       Hospitality & Food Industry Award winner: Andrea Burke, Bar Manager apprentice graduate at the Sligo Park Hotel, recipient of a national industry award (Hospitality & Food)

·       ICT Industry Award winner: Sopiko Abulidze, second year Software Development Associate apprentice, Meath County Council, recipient of a national industry award (ICT)

·       Insurance Industry Award Winner: Saoirse Holmes, first year Insurance Practitioner apprentice, Acorn Financial Services, Dundalk, Louth, recipient of a national industry award (Insurance)

·       Logistics Industry Award Winner: Auryn Souness, second year Supply Chain Manager apprentice, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Castletroy Limerick, recipient of a national industry award (Logistics)

·       Motor Industry Award Winner: Jan Mil, fourth year motor mechanics apprentice, Paul Drummy Motors, Dungarven, Waterford, recipient of a national industry award (Motor)

·     Auctioneering & Property Services Award Winnner:  Ross McCarrick, Auctioneering & Property services apprentice at REA McCarrick & Sons Tubbercurry, Sligo, recipient of a national industry award (Auctioneering & Property Services)

·    Sales & Marketing Industry Award Winner:  Teresa Keatinge, first year digital marketing apprentice at St. Francis Hospice Dublin, Artane, Dublin, recipient of a national industry award (Sales & Marketing)

Apprenticeships are central to Ireland’s future workforce, providing people with valuable skills while helping employers and industries to grow and thrive.

Apprentices already play an important role across sectors including construction, engineering, finance, ICT, food and hospitality, farming and the green economy.

The National Apprentice of the Year Awards recognise the skill, dedication and achievements of apprentices while shining a spotlight on apprenticeship as a first-choice career pathway.

With 89 national apprenticeships available, there are opportunities for people to learn, develop and build rewarding careers across an increasingly diverse range of occupations.

Find out more about 89 apprenticeship career options now at www.apprenticeship.ie.