Timothy Hagan has been titled as Northern Ireland Skill Auto Apprentice of the Year 2017, he will now compete in the UK wide heats of the competition. Timothy is a Gold Motor Vehicle student at South West College, he is currently working as an apprentice in the Donnelly Group, Dungannon.
Timothy completed a series of six tasks successfully at the Skill Auto NI competition, held at South West College Omagh campus, the competition was judged by David Mossie, Skills Competition Manager at the Institute Of The Motor Industry (IMI). Timothy will represent Northern Ireland in competing to be the best automotive apprentice in his field.
Timothy, from Coagh outside Cookstown, is currently studying the Level 3 Gold Motor Vehicle Repair course and wishes to continue his studies to Degree level. He began his apprenticeship at Donnelly Group Mitsubishi in September 2015, the only motor dealer in Northern Ireland to be recognised as an IMI approved training centre.
Mr Terence Donnelly stated “The local college and Donnelly’s have jointly contributed to the high level motor vehicle training for apprentices, training from the best level at the base enables you to achieve and never fall back. I started this way myself and our business is seventy years old now. Having the right advice early on will enable each student to deliver the end result.”
Delcan McCaughey, Training Lecturer for South West College, said “It is a tremendous achievement for Timothy to win such a prestigious award, he is an outstanding pupil, he has ambition to continue his studies and motivation to work his way up in Donnelly’s to a Master Technician level.”
Timothy said “I am delighted to have won Apprentice of the Year 2017, my training and skills development with the Donnelly Group have been essential not only in preparing me with the knowledge and qualifications to compete at this level, but they have helped my confidence grow. The other mechanics and my fellow colleagues have been a support to me throughout my studies.”