On Feb 25th, 2026, Minister of State, Mr. Robert Troy T.D., presented Oleksii Kondratenko with this year’s Academic Excellence Award for 1st Year at this year’s IFS Apprenticeship Conference.

Minister of State, Mr. Robert Troy T.D., said, “It was a pleasure to be at the IFS Apprenticeship Conference today at National College of Ireland. To see firsthand, the enthusiasm of apprentices who want to make a career in international financial services is hugely positive for the industry. It is also a strong reminder of the pathways open to people who want to pursue such a career. This is a highly skilled workforce for a key part of our economy, and the IFS Apprenticeship shows that development in this career is not confined to the traditional approach.  

"Since its creation in 2017, IFS Apprenticeships have launched over 300 careers in the international financial services industry. The impact of these programmes is demonstrated in the high retention within industry upon graduation, and high rate of internal promotion – 94% and 65% respectively. 

"I will shortly be launching the next Ireland for Finance Strategy, the whole of Government approach for our international financial services sector. Ireland’s skills and talent pool is a key element of our success to date, with apprenticeships playing an important role within this, and it is encouraging to see this programme go from strength to strength.” 

President of NCI, Professor Gina Quin, said, “NCI makes lifelong learning accessible through innovative and flexible delivery mechanisms, including apprenticeships, so that all learners from all backgrounds can discover what path is right for them. The personal insights shared and the professional connections formed at this year’s IFS Apprenticeship Conference will be hugely beneficial to this year’s apprentices." 

Oleksii Kondratenko, now a 2nd year IFS Associate Apprentice was this year’s winner as he was the Highest Academic Achiever overall in his 1st year class.  

Darragh Brien, Apprenticeship Engagement Specialist at NCI, shared, “The Academic Excellence Award for 1st Year gives us an opportunity to celebrate the excellent work and efforts of one student in particular each year, celebrating the achievements of our award winner with their peers and industry representatives present, and showing our current students what the future can look like. It is wonderful to see them network with industry professionals and be inspired.” 

About the IFS Apprenticeship Conference  

Last February, the inaugural IFS Apprenticeship Conference was held in NCI’s Spencer Dock campus building. This event was designed to provide NCI’s IFS Associate Apprentices with valuable industry insights and professional guidance from esteemed industry professional speakers. Special guests share their expertise with our students who are always engaged and eager to learn. Our apprentices gain firsthand exposure to the latest industry data and thinking from IFS professionals and practitioners that will support both current studies and future career aspirations.  

Now in its second year, this annual corporate conference experience offers a taste of industry life and the opportunity to learn from, and network with keynote speakers from professional companies such as Central Bank of Ireland, HSBC, and KBI. Guest speakers are joined by NCI’s IFS Apprenticeship Alumni. Past students chat to the current cohort of apprenticeship students, giving them personal insights, sharing what their experience has been, and how their careers have progressed since their time on the programme. 

This year’s speakers included Stephen Lynch (HSBC), Jim Power (Economist), Padraig O’Brien (Central Bank of Ireland), Balint Elek (HSBC), Sarah Browne (Payoneer), and Jeanne Collins (KBI) alongside NCI Apprenticeship Alumni, James Nolan, Sarah Austen, and Luke Kellu (Amundi).  

The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Panel commended NCI’s IFS Apprenticeship Conference, stating that the event is, “innovative, great addition to the programme for the learners and great way to engage the industry with the programme.” 

The IFS Apprenticeship has also been shortlisted for a 2026 Education Award. 

This year NCI is celebrating its 75th year anniversary, an ideal opportunity to look back and reflect on how IFS Apprenticeships have changed lives and launched an impressive number of careers since launching in 2017. Data shows 94% retention within industry upon graduation, 65% internal promotion, with over 80% receiving highest award grades.  

More about IFS Apprenticeships   

At National College of Ireland, our International Financial Services Apprenticeships offer people a unique way to start their career or upskill in the financial services sector. Our two-year programmes are ideal for Leaving Certificate students or those who have an equivalent qualification, who have an interest in pursuing a career in the financial services sector.  

The higher certificate and higher diploma programmes in financial services allow students to "earn while you learn,” as the courses combine paid on the job training with academic study. This blended approach allows apprenticeship students to learn both inside and outside of the classroom, engage with a wide network of lecturers, peers, mentors, and colleagues at their onsite training, and ensures that they are industry ready upon graduation. Taking learned theory and knowledge and applying it directly in the workplace is a skill that can take time to learn, so having the opportunity to directly develop those industry skills while still studying is a fantastic benefit to students and it hugely benefits them when they go on to take that next career step. 

Congratulations to NCI’s Apprenticeship Team on another successful event. The atmosphere in our Spencer Dock campus building was bright and innovative, and it is lovely to see so many ambitious, enthusiastic people connecting under one roof. Apprenticeships can be life-changing opportunities for people because of the experiences they provide and the doors they open, and we look forward to seeing how this event continues to evolve.  

Interested in exploring what apprenticeship is right for you? You can learn more by visiting NCI’s IFS Apprenticeships homepage. 

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