Kilkenny native scoops top accolade at National Apprentice Awards 2026
Callan’s Hollie Foley of MSD Carlow wins Agriculture, Horticulture & Biopharma award at SOLAS National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 in Dublin’s RDS Concert Hall
Callan apprentice Hollie Foley has won the top ‘Agriculture, Horticulture & Biopharma’ industry award at Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony.
Hollie Foley (who has completed a laboratory analyst apprenticeship with MSD Carlow) was selected from 508 nominees nationwide.
The award was presented at a ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall Dublin, attended by more than 500 guests.
The award recognises 22-year-old Hollie’s skills and contributions in BioPharma and STEM and highlights apprenticeship talent developing across County Kilkenny.
Since graduating from the apprenticeship programme, Hollie has progressed even further in her career where she is currently working as a Quality Control (QC) Microbiology Technician at the company.
Hollie Foley described winning the award as ‘a wonderful honour and a very proud moment for me’.
“My Laboratory Analyst apprenticeship with MSD Ireland has enabled me to combine structured learning with practical experience in the Biopharma sector, and graduating from this programme has opened up so many exciting doors and unexpected opportunities for me,” she explained.
“This award is testament to that, and I am so grateful to receive such a recognition. I would encourage anyone considering apprenticeships to explore the incredible career opportunities they can offer to people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin TD presented 17 awards on the night, including the overall Apprentice of the Year award to Sapna Sian, a Manufacturing Technology apprentice with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in Limerick.
Speaking at the awards event, Minister Harkin described apprentices as being ‘at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce’.
“I wish to congratulate Hollie Foley on this incredible achievement, along with all 508 nominees,” she said.
“Their talent, commitment and skills are helping to shape Ireland’s future workforce.”
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