Wicklow Apprentice Wins ESB HGV Mechanic Apprentice of the Year

A wheely good result for Daniel Diamond from Glenealy!

A County Wicklow apprentice has earned national recognition after being named Heavy Goods Vehicle Mechanic Apprentice of the Year by ESB Networks.

Daniel Diamond from Glenealy was honoured at the company's annual Apprentice of the Year awards.  He's the first ever recipient of the newly introduced HGV Mechanic Apprentice of the Year title.

The competition puts the country's top-performing apprentices through a series of demanding technical challenges to test their skills and expertise.

This year, Ádhmhín Ní Riordáin from An Rinn in County Waterford was also named Apprentice Network Technician of the Year 2026.

Both winners received their awards from Nicholas Tarrant at a ceremony held at the Networks Training Centre in Portlaoise.

Technical Training and Development Manager at ESB Networks, Frank Murphy said: 

Apprentices play a central role in maintaining and developing Ireland's electricity network, while the new HGV category recognises the importance of fleet maintenance in supporting crews and customers nationwide.

The awards highlight the growing importance of ESB Networks' apprenticeship programme in building the skilled workforce needed to support Ireland's electricity infrastructure into the future.

More information on the programme is available through ESB Networks Apprenticeships.