An exciting talent currently plying her trade under the guidance of construction firm GRAHAM has been named as a finalist in this year's Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards.

Jane McCarron has made the shortlist for the Higher-Level Apprentice of the Year category, and is one of three finalists selected from thousands of applicants.

Since joining GRAHAM in January 2024, Jane has quickly made a significant impact in her role as a trainee planner. She has successfully applied theoretical knowledge into practical skills, showcasing adaptability, attention to detail and a strong grasp of project planning processes.

Ray Ferguson, Regional Planning Director at GRAHAM, said: "Jane stands out due to her exceptional work ethic, diligence and proactive approach. Jane's positive attitude, resilience under pressure and passion for construction planning makes her an invaluable asset to GRAHAM."

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Jane is currently completing her final year of a Higher Level Apprenticeship Foundation Degree accredited by Ulster University in Construction Engineering with Surveying, which she is studying at South West College's Enniskillen campus.

Set to graduate in Summer 2025, Jane plans to continue her education with a part-time BSc (Hons) in Construction Engineering and Management, validated by The Open University.

Jane's commitment to continuous professional growth is evident through completing the Optimising High Performance Building Design course at Humber College in Toronto and participating in various training courses.

This week, as part of the judging process, Jane was interviewed by a distinguished panel of judges, including Davina McCay, Head of Economic Social Inclusion at the Department for the Economy; Professor Jonathan Heggarty MBE, Principal and CEO at Stranmillis University College; and Kathryn McCamley, Deputy Director of Apprenticeships, Careers and Vocational Education Division at the Department for the Economy.

The winners of the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Belfast on Wednesday, March 26.