AOP ‘over the moon’ as Boardroom Apprentice returns for another year
Applications are now open for a unique boardroom training programme due to commence for the 7th year with host boards across the county.
The Boardroom Apprentice is a twelve month unique board learning, development and placement programme with a total of 51 host boards across Northern Ireland.
As one of the host boards, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP), are “over the moon” to once again be involved with the programme.
AOP’s Education and Outreach Manager Sinead Mackle said: “We are thrilled to once again be a host board for the Boardroom Apprentice. The initiative is a great opportunity to bring new people into the boardroom setting giving them confidence that they have the skills required.
“It also enables us to showcase what we do at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and change the perception of science. As an organisation it is great to learn from the apprentices as they bring an inquisitive approach to how we operate and bring new perspectives and ideas.”
Having already helped 277 people turn their dream of sitting on a board into a reality, there is no time like the present to get involved and see your future be altered with the help of the scheme.
The scheme allows participants to immerse themselves in the world of boardrooms and decision making, all while gaining invaluable skills that translate to both their personal and professional lives.
There are host boards countrywide with organisations including Housing Executive, Labour Relations Agency, PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland, Ulster Hockey, Translink, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Department for the Economy.
Other Armagh-based host boards for the programme include Southern Regional College and IncredABLE.
Commenting on the scheme Founder of Boardroom Apprentice, Eileen Mullan said: “Boardroom Apprentice is about delivering diversity, creating change and achieving aspirations.”
“Being a Boardroom Apprentice is a gift. In return the expectation is that within 12 months of completing you will find and secure a seat at the board table of an organisation that matters to you. This means that you take the gift and then go on to give back and play your part.”
The overarching aim of Boardroom Apprentice is ‘to move the board member role from aspiration to reality’.
A recent impact study by independent consultant Dr Tony Macaulay found 100% of all 59 participating host boards from the 2021 programme were satisfied or very satisfied with their Boardroom Apprentice(s).
Similarly, 92% rated the overall credibility of the programme as high or very high, with 98% saying they were likely or very likely to recommend the Boardroom Apprentice Programme to other Boards.
Boardroom Apprentice is open to all ages (above 16), all backgrounds and all abilities.
Make sure to read the eligibility criteria here before submitting your application.
The closing date for this year’s cohort is Monday June 19, 2023.