The inaugural Mentor Award has been handed out at this year's NI Apprenticeship Awards.

Mivan's Charley McAuley took home the landmark award at the 2023 ceremony, which also saw the introduction of the Special Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

The awards, organised by the Department for Economy NI, started back in 2001 and over the years they have had a track record of showcasing and celebrating the depth and quality of the talent within local apprentices, employers, and training providers across a wide range of sectors.

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Commenting on Charley's win, John Cunningham, Mivan CEO, commented: "The work Charley puts into the Apprentice Programme is vital to our future and we can all see the benefits of the programme. His dedication, knowledge, enthusiasm, and desire to help improve young people have been truly recognised."

Speaking at the ceremony hosted by speaker and broadcaster David Meade in the Belfast Harbour Commissioner's office, Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy, added: "The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards are an opportunity to appreciate those who have made a significant investment in vocational education. The awards ceremony allows us to celebrate the commitment and the immense capability of our apprentices, their employers and the training providers who support them."