Designer Group is delighted that Brendan Kearns, Training Director, was selected as Ireland’s Ambassador for the European Vocational Skills Week 2020.

Brendan is one of a group of Ambassadors, from different EU Member States, chosen for this prestigious role due to his outstanding achievements in the field of Vocational Education Training (VET), and has volunteered to spread the word. Brendan understands only too well how vocational skills are part of lifelong learning. Technology is changing the nature of jobs and challenging how we undertake work itself. Vocational Educational Training (VET) is adapting to reflect the changes in the workplace to equip the workforce of the future with the skills they need.

EU Vocational Skills Week ran from 9th – 13th November, and was a virtual event due to the coronavirus. Thanks to our very own Training Academy for the TU Dublin Access to Apprenticeship students. They showcased the many ways that VET can help young people to ‘discover their talent’ and prepare themselves for Europe’s economy of the future. Brendan led discussions on apprenticeship paths, careers available through Designer Group’s mechanical and electrical engineering apprenticeship programmes and chatted all things gender and diversity.

Designer Group continue to set the highest standards and continuously support our workforce through training. We established our very own Training Academy in 2016 and our apprentices have gone on to win awards such as ‘Generation Apprenticeship’.

Brendan told us;

I am delighted to have been selected to be an EU Ambassador. The Ambassador role will inspire people from all backgrounds, especially young people deciding on future careers and adults looking to upskill, re-skill, or pursue a lifelong learning experience.

Thank you to the many students who shared their stories and experiences. We hope you all had a great week and we all wish you a bright and successful future!