Dubliner’s Teresa Keatinge, digital marketing apprentice at Saint Francis Hospice, Raheny, and Rebecca Keane, a second-year Recruitment Executive apprentice at Public Jobs, Dublin have won 2 of 17 national awards at Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 held recently in the RDS.
Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin TD presented 17 awards, including the overall Apprentice of the Year award to Sapna Sian, a Manufacturing Technology apprentice with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in Limerick, and awarded Artane’s Teresa Keatinge and Lucan’s Rebecca Keane with national awards.
Beating out tough competition from 508 nominations nationwide, 47-year-old Artane native Teresa Keatinge won the top Apprentice of the Year ‘Sales & Marketing’ industry award while Lucan’s Rebecca Keane, now in her second year of completing the Recruitment Executive apprenticeship with Public Jobs, Dublin won the top Apprentice of the Year industry award in the ‘Finance and Recruitment’ category.
The awards recognise Teresa Keatinge’s and Rebecca Keane’s leadership, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork skills and overall contributions as apprentices and highlights the breadth of apprenticeship talent that is developing across Dublin County.
Teresa Keatinge, winner of the ‘Sales and Marketing’ award (pictured above) said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this incredible award and very proud to have my skills, contributions and achievements recognised as part of my apprenticeship learning journey. Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for anyone to gain experience, build confidence and begin developing a rewarding career, or expand your current skills. I couldn’t recommend apprenticeships enough at any age, you are never too old to learn.”
“My Digital Marketing apprenticeship with St. Francis Hospice Dublin is giving me the opportunity to develop practical skills while learning and apply these skills in my workplace. I am so thrilled to win this award, and would like to thank my tutors, classmates, mentor and colleagues at St. Francis Hospice for their support and mentorship along the way.”
Photograph by Declan Roughan / Press Eye
Rebecca Keane, winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award (Finance & Recruitment) (pictured above) said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this incredible award and to have my apprenticeship journey and skills recognised on the national stage.
Public Jobs has given me the opportunity to earn, learn and grow while gaining practical experience in a professional environment, and to build a rewarding career in Recruitment with so many progression opportunities.
Apprenticeship learning is a valuable route for anyone to develop their skills, confidence and career path, and I am proud to have my achievements recognised as an apprentice with this award.”
Speaking at the awards event, Minister Harkin said: “Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce.
“I congratulate Teresa and Rebecca on this incredible achievement, along with all 508 nominees.
“Their talent, commitment and skills are helping to shape Ireland’s future workforce.”
Hazel Johnston, the 2023 National Apprentice of the Year and a graduate of the Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship, was presented with a ‘2026 Facts, Faces, Futures Outstanding Ambassador’ Award, recognising her contribution to raising awareness of apprenticeship as a career pathway for women.”
Overseen by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, the National Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrates the finest talent across the apprenticeship system in Ireland who are building successful and rewarding career with apprenticeships.
Apprentices can be nominated by employers, training providers or anyone who knows an apprentice well.
Nominees are judged on their skills and qualities in areas including leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.
Find out more about the Apprentice of the Year Awards and 89 national apprenticeships available at www.apprenticeship.ie