SalesSense International wins Employer of the Year 2020

Minister Simon Harris announces the 2020 Generation Apprenticeship Employer of the Year winners. SalesSense International, headquartered in Galway joins J&J Vision, from Limerick city and Combilift, from Co. Monaghan as winners in the large company category

Ger Teahon, CEO of SalesSense International commented “Receiving the nomination in such exalted company was an honour, to win Employer of the Year 2020 is an incredibly special moment in the history of SalesSense. The Sales Apprenticeship is designed and delivered to world class standards. We would like to thank all involved, especially the team in MSLETB, together with the subject matter experts and course designers who have helped make the programme a success for employees and employers alike.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD said “Where better to celebrate this year\’s high flyers than from EXO, Dublin’s tallest office building, currently under construction. We were delighted to receive 28 award nominees representing more than 24,000 employees across so many vibrant industry sectors here in our country. As Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science I speak on behalf of all of my Government colleagues as I congratulate each of the winners and worthy nominees this year. I am delighted that apprenticeship in Ireland is going from strength to strength even as we work to emerge from the impact of Covid-19. This is thanks to the employers we are celebrating today along with the full community of apprenticeship employers, education providers and, of course, our wonderful talent pipeline that is the apprentices themselves.” The awards are organised by SOLAS as part of the campaign to promote the €3,000 Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme.

The Minister continued, “I am delighted to announce 3 awards in the Small and Medium business category: Gaffney Mechanical, the Strand Hotel and Cambus Medical. Each company stood out for their leadership in 2020 and their excellence in supporting apprentices across Manufacturing Engineering, Accounting, Plumbing, and Hospitality skill areas. I really want to thank them for the support they have shown to our apprenticeship programmes.”

In announcing Combilift, J&J Vision and SalesSense International as winners in the large company category, the Minister went on to say “As well as being outstanding leaders in their industry field, each company has been closely involved in developing new apprenticeship provision across Manufacturing, Electrical, Metal Fabrication, Industrial Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, Polymer, Supply Chain, Principal Engineering and Sales. Thank you again for that leadership and that innovation as we develop more apprenticeship programmes in our country.”

Congratulating the winners, Pat O’Doherty, CEO ESB and Apprenticeship Council Chairman said “Leadership across many of the industry sectors is at the core of this year\’s awards. I am indebted to my Apprenticeship Council colleagues Natasha Kinsella, Dr Jim Murray and Martin O\’Brien who had the challenging task of assessing an outstanding field of nominees. 2020 has been an unprecedented year for all of us. Through it we have seen the power of the apprenticeship community in how we support each other. With more industries joining us next year and the really welcome boost of the €3,000 Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme, we will continue to increase apprenticeship across more businesses, more generations, more demographics and more genders.”

“This year\’s awards capture a story of resilience, solidarity, leadership and inspiring examples of innovation and courage as employers have worked tirelessly to adapt to the global pandemic.  I extend warmest congratulations to all our nominees and winners” said Andrew Brownlee, Chief Executive of SOLAS.”