On Friday 13^th of May 2022, we held the Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision inaugural graduation ceremony at the Athlone Springs Hotel, to celebrate the conferment of awards to the Class of 2019.

The event was a great success with 60 apprentices graduating from the programme and over 200 guests in attendance. The event was a wonderful occasion dedicated to acknowledging the achievements of the 60 apprentices who graduated along with the retail employer organisations, workplace mentors, tutors, graduates’ friends and family and the wider retail sector.  The graduates from the Class of 2019 are the first group to complete the 2-year Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision programme.

Keynote speeches were delivered by the Managing Director of Aramark Food Services in Ireland and Chair of Retail Ireland, Shane Flynn.  Shane has also served as the Chair of the Retail Consortium Steering Group over the Apprenticeship programme for the last 3 years. 

Dr. Mary Liz Trant, Interin Director National Apprenticeship Office also addressed attendees on the importance of apprenticeship programmes in the Irish Education System. Dr. Mary-Liz also talked about the establishment of the National Apprenticeship Office and the ambition to further promote apprenticeships across all sectors. 

Speeches were also delivered by Sean Carlin, Managing Director Retail Ireland Skillnet, Dr. Oran Doherty, the Programme Director, and Roisin Woods, master of ceremonies. There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event and it was heart-warming to see what the day signified for the graduates, their friends and families, mentors, and employers. The graduation ceremony marked a momentous day for the retail sector, in its mission to create defined career pathways for employees.

There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event and it was heart-warming to see what the day signified for the graduates, their friends and families, mentors, and employers. The graduation ceremony marked a momentous day for the retail sector, in its mission to create defined career pathways for employees.

There are currently 200 apprentices studying on the Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision programme. Retail Ireland Skillnet is currently accepting applications for the new intake commencing in September 2022.  To find out more information, contact info@retailirelandskillnet.com