Apprenctice electricians Molly and Maksym into competition semis

APPRENTICE electricians learning their trade in Tallaght are through to the semi-final of the Trade Apprentice competition.

Molly McGauley (19) and Maksym Vlasiuk (21) beat more than 3,000 applicants across the UK and Ireland to secure a place in the semi-final and have the opportunity to win the title and take home a €10,000 trade bundle, which includes tools, technology, and training.

Molly is currently studying at TU Dublin, and the semi-final stage will see 37 aspiring apprentices face an interview to hopefully secure their place in the final, which will take place at Google HQ, in London, in April.

“To have been selected from a record number of applications is a huge achievement for me.

‘I’m excited at the prospect of representing Dublin on a national stage,” said Molly.

“As a female apprentice, I enjoy working in a trade. I began my apprenticeship at 16, and the skills and practical experience I gain are among the best benefits of working in a trade.

‘I hope that my commitment to the trade will be recognised by the judges and I will do everything I can to try and make it to the final.”

Maksym is currently studying at Tallaght Training Centre (DDLETB).

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, said: “As a retailer to the trade, we are committed to championing tradespeople across the UK and Ireland.

‘The 12th annual Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition is a national platform which recognises and celebrates apprentices, whilst also highlighting the crucial contribution they make to the industry.

‘With apprentices so important to the future success of the industry, it is great to see that we have received a record number of entries this year.

‘To make it through to the highly contested semi-final stage is a fantastic achievement, and I wish this year’s semi-finalists the very best of luck in making it to the final.”