The 2010 Apprentice of the Year Awards have been Launched in Northern Ireland, by the Department of Employment and Learning.

Launching the competition, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: "This is your chance to shine. These Awards recognise the apprentices who are taking their future into their own hands and employers who with their partnered training organisations are investing in the future and the skills of their workforce."

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The awards are designed to recognise people involved in apprenticeship training in Northern Ireland, including: employers, training organisations and the apprentices themselves.

Nominations are open now for the four categories: Apprentice of the Year, Most Promising First Year Apprentice, Personal Achievement Apprentice and Partnership Award (for employers and training organisations).

The closing date for all categories is March 3. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Belfast’s Europa Hotel on May 19.

(NS/GK)