Munster Express Online

On Friday last, nine trainees who have taken part in a year long training programme jointly operated by Waterford Wexford Training Services (WWTS) and Waterford Crystal were presented with City and Guilds Accreditation at the Waterford Training Centre.
Eight of the trainees have been offered employment with Waterford Crystal following their successful completion of the training programme whilst the ninth successful trainee has entered full-time education. The eight trainees officially begin their apprenticeships on Monday of this week.
The nine trainees were presented with their City and Guilds Certificates across the disciplines of Crystal Blowing, Cutting, Sculpting and Engraving.
Darren White, Keith Moore, Shane O’Connor, Kate Swift, Adam Doyle, Keith O’Loughlin, Conor Richardson, Christopher Phelan all from Waterford and Theon Doran from Wexford were all delighted to have completed their traineeship successfully and be presented with their certificates.
The Craft Manufacturing Training Programme was advertised for application in July 2014 and the course commenced last September.
The programme was offered to 10 trainees and over the course of the programme they were trained with a foundation knowledge in either crystal manufacturing, blowing, cutting, sculpting or engraving.
All training accredited through Waterford Wexford Training Services (WWTS) and The House of Waterford Crystal.
The new trainees completed their City and Guilds Crystal Manufacturing exams, and they now progress to year two of a four-year programme to become master blowers, cutters, sculptors or engravers with Waterford Crystal. The last time such trainees were taken on by the company was in 1986.
The retention of these artisanal skills are key to the future of the business, according to Dermot Barlow, the Manufacturing Manager at the House of Waterford Crystal.
“We are thrilled to welcome these apprentices into the Waterford family,” he said.
“The unique skills and expertise of our craftspeople is at the heart of the Waterford brand and it’s essential that we continue to train the next generation of artisans so we can continue to make the stunning crystal pieces that are loved and admired by consumers around the world.”
He added: “It’s over 25 years since the last apprentice Damien O’Regan completed his training at Waterford and so it seems fitting that at this point in the company’s growth, we are able to develop and enhance our traditional manufacturing skills at the factory.
“We recognise the contribution and support we received from Waterford Wexford Training Services (WWTS) who have delivered the programme. The accreditation by City & Guilds, reflects the quality and standard of the work completed by the participants over the last twelve months”.(See Express View for more on ‘The Glass City’ and Waterford’s future potential)