The Apprentice Lab: Could an apprentice work for your business?

Have you thought about taking on an apprentice but held back because it seems too complex, too time-consuming, or simply not worth the risk?

You’re not alone. Many businesses question whether the time, cost, and administrative effort will deliver real value. These concerns are common - and worth exploring properly.

The Apprentice Lab is a focused, business-led webinar for local employers, sole traders, and SMEs to examine these realities head-on. It brings together Mid Ulster businesses to share experiences, challenge assumptions, and explore what taking on an apprentice actually looks like in practice.

Katie from the Department for the Economy will open the session with a short overview of the ApprenticeshipsNI scheme, including clarification on eligible funding and areas not covered by the programme. Noreen McGirr, Higher Level Apprenticeship Manager at South West College will then provide another informative presentation which will be followed by a panel discussion with three local businesses:

• Dunbia Group – Katie Morton shares how expanding apprenticeships across multiple roles helped drive internal upskilling while attracting new talent into the business.

• Axon Power & Control – Alisha Quinn discusses how apprenticeships are supporting business growth, overcoming common barriers, and why they’re central to future expansion plans.

• McAleer & Rushe – Shane McCullagh explains how the company revisited Higher Level Apprenticeships after early challenges and successfully developed a model that now plays a key role in their workforce strategy.

The panel discussion will be led by Noreen, bringing practical insight into how apprenticeships work in reality.

You’ll also hear from Catherine McHugh, Principal at St Patrick’s College Dungannon, who will share perspectives on the importance of considering apprenticeships as part of the wider skills and talent pipeline.

Session will close with a Q & A session

Whether you’re sceptical, curious, or already considering your options, this is an opportunity to gain clarity and hear directly from others in similar positions.