The Insurance Institute of Ireland is delighted to celebrate Leah Maguire, a Carrick-on-Suir native and Insurance Practitioner Apprentice with Eolas Money, who won the Finance & Insurance Award at this year’s Generation Apprenticeship ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Awards.
The awards, held in the historic Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin on October 23, 2024, brought together 400 nominees and guests to recognise Ireland’s top apprentices across multiple industries.
The Generation Apprenticeship Awards are now in their third year and are coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office. With more than 70 apprenticeship programmes nationally, these awards celebrate the outstanding skills and talent that apprentices bring to workplaces across Ireland.
Leah stood out among exceptional peers in her category, including Adam O'Carroll (IMO Financial Services), Alex Ryan (RJ Walsh Consulting), Alicia Ashmore (AXA Insurance), Chloe Presho (Aviva), Cian Doyle (Zurich Insurance), Erin Marum (Zurich Insurance), Jordan Mortell (NFP Ireland), Liam Egan (AIG), Louise Mulhall (Brady Insurance), Tendai Hove (OMC Claims), and Tracey Horan (AXA Insurance). Together, these nominees represent the incredible skills, dedication, and diversity of Ireland’s finance and insurance apprentices.
Leah, who is currently in year 2 of her level 8 BA (Hons) Insurance Practitioner degree, a keen sports enthusiast who loves nutrition and travel says: " As a trainee Financial Adviser, I am so proud to accept the Generation Apprenticeship Finalist Award in Finance and Insurance, I am so thrilled to bring this award home to Tipperary! I am delighted to have my skills and passion recognised. There is so much to learn about in the fascinating financial and insurance services sector, and I enjoy working with the team supporting our clients at Eolas Money with the skills I have gained as an apprentice. This award proves that I have chosen the right career path, and the passion and hard work I put in has paid off. A big thank you to all at Eolas Money for the nomination, and thank you to everyone for the support, it means so much to me."
The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship programme has become a vital career pathway for those looking to earn a full-time salary while working towards a Level 8 BA Honours Degree in Insurance Practice. Now in its ninth year, this “Earn and Learn” apprenticeship combines remote academic learning with hands-on job experience, allowing apprentices to develop both the technical skills and the business acumen needed to succeed in our dynamic insurance sector. The programme has welcomed participants from all backgrounds—school leavers, graduates, career changers, and mature learners.
Leah’s employer, Brendan Reilly, Co-Founder, Director, Eolas Money was delighted to see Leah recognised for her hard work and dedication: “The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship provides a fantastic opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in our industry to get started and is also an excellent opportunity for employers, like ourselves, to access and nurture new talent. Leah has been a wonderful addition to the Eolas Money team and helps us to consistently deliver the high-quality expertise and financial planning guidance that our clients expect.”
With support from over 80 insurance employers nationwide, these employers, just like Eolas Money, play a vital role in investing and contributing to the future of our industry, the programme continues to grow, making a tangible impact on the sector. A recent survey shows that 91% of graduates have continued to work in insurance, with over two-thirds remaining with the company that sponsored their apprenticeship. Nearly 97% of surveyed graduates say they would recommend the apprenticeship to others, highlighting its value as a professional springboard in insurance.
Talking about the footprint of the programme, Dermot Murray, CEO of the Insurance Institute, shared: "Leah’s achievement is a testament to the hard work, skill, and determination that our apprentices bring to the insurance industry. We are immensely proud of her and all of our apprentices, whose contributions are strengthening the future of insurance in Ireland. They represent the next generation of talent, and it’s encouraging to see them being recognised at such a prestigious event."
The Generation Apprenticeship ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also shine a light on the powerful role that apprenticeships play in Ireland’s workforce development. “Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce, with remarkable attributes of leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. These awards celebrate the power and impact of apprenticeship as a mode of learning and career development.” Says, Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office.
Applications for the 2025 Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship will open in Spring 2025. This pathway offers those interested in insurance a chance to Earn and Learn in a high-growth field with immense career potential. For more information on entry requirements, locations, and career opportunities, visit earnandlearn.ie or contact us at apprenticeship@iii.ie
Congratulations again to Leah and all the outstanding nominees! We look forward to seeing how this talented group of apprentices continues to impact Ireland’s insurance sector.
