Latest news with #Chadwicks
Irish Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Wexford and Lee Chin end campaign on a high with win over Kilkenny
Leinster SHC: Wexford 2-19 Kilkenny 1-15 Wexford ended a disappointing Leinster Championship campaign on a high note as they defeated near neighbours Kilkenny in Chadwicks Wexford Park. The game was of little consequence with Kilkenny already in the Leinster decider and Wexford's fate already sealed, and it showed in a rather lacklustre affair that was lit up by a 1-13 tally from Lee Chin. The lack of jeopardy in the game really showed with just 4,623 in attendance and being at home it was Wexford who were the more fluent with Kilkenny never leading at any stage. Second-half goals from Rory O'Connor and Lee Chin gave Keith Rossiter's men a big advantage and although Kilkenny got back to within seven points come the end, it's a scoreline that's very misleading with TJ Reid getting Kilkenny's goal in stoppage time. READ MORE It was a relatively tight beginning to the game with Cian Kenny doing a lot of damage for the Cats but with a strong wind at their backs, Wexford took full control with Chin contributing eight first-half points. Simon Donohoe, Conor Hearne and Jack O'Connor also found the target for the home side though the game looked far from over as they led 0-12 to 0-5 at the break. A Rory O'Connor goal within four minutes of the resumption was a real big moment and with Chin then converting successive frees, the winners had a bit of daylight as they opened up a double-digit advantage. Kilkenny's Cian Kenny and Wexford's Kevin Foley fight for possession. Photograph: Ken Sutton/Inpho Kilkenny's best spell of the game then arrived with Adrian Mullen, Luke Connellan and Stephen Donnelly all knocking over points but it was only brief hope as Wexford's second goal ended the game as a contest a couple of minutes later. Chin was the man deservedly on the end of the move as he fired home after being fed expertly by Conor McDonald. The Cats rallied before the end with scores from Cian Kenny, Richie Reid and Fionan Mackessy before TJ Reid eventually found the net in stoppage time after being denied twice earlier in the game but it was much too late to make any difference as Wexford claimed a deserved success. Kilkenny: E Murphy; P Connellan, P Moylan, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, A Mullen (0-1), Z Bay Hammond; K Doyle (0-1), P McDonald; L Connellan (0-2), C Kenny (0-3), F Mackessy (0-1); B Drennan (0-1), TJ Reid (1-4, 2fs and 2 65's), O Wall. Subs: S Donnelly (0-1) for McDonald (44); G Dunne for Wall (49); R Reid (0-1) for Bay Hammond (59); N Shortall for Drennan (66); S Staunton for Mullen (68). Wexford: M Fanning; C Molloy, S Donohoe (0-1), C Foley; E Ryan, D Reck, D Carley; C Hearne (0-1), C Byrne Dunbar; J O'Connor (0-1), L Chin (1-13, 9fs), R O'Connor (1-1); K Foley, M Dwyer (0-1), C Byrne. Subs: N Murphy for Reck (30); C Dunbar for Dwyer (50); C McDonald (0-1) for Byrne (55); D Codd for J O'Connor (67); C McGuckin for Molloy (69). Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
How a Dublin school is challenging our university-first mindset
Have you tried getting a plumber recently? Or a carpenter or electrician for that matter? Everyone knows that a shortage of tradespeople can mean a long wait. So, what if your son or daughter came home from school knowing how to install your toilets and radiators – and were also, for the first time, considering a career as a tradesperson? At Adamstown Community College, students are getting a real taste of what it could be like. About six years ago, engineering teacher Paul Hollywood, with the support of the school and the local education and training board, introduced a new module to help his students learn practical skills. 'I worked as a plumber for 11 years on industrial building sites, before returning to college for four years to train as an engineering teacher,' Hollywood says. READ MORE 'I'm a big advocate of apprenticeships, as I wouldn't be a teacher without a trade behind me. So I asked if I could develop this course, got the go-ahead and fitted out a training room in the school over a summer.' Participants on the course start by learning about safe manual handling and are awarded a certificate for their efforts. Then, they learn the theory behind plumbing and heating systems before they fit out working toilets, pipe them up and get them flushing, before doing work on radiators and hand basins. [ Apprenticeships: 'It's like the country got nearly a bit too snobby or elitist when it came to education' Opens in new window ] The materials for the module were supplied by Chadwicks, a builders' provider and DIY shop, and further support was provided by CJK, a specialist engineering firm. 'Both companies have done interview and CV workshops with the students, and some have had work experience with them,' says Hollywood. Adamstown Community College, established in 2009, has 980 students. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien The programme has since spread to two other Dublin schools, Greenhills Community College and St Kevin's Community College. It's an innovative approach that ensures respect, attention and opportunity for students who might prefer a vocational career but are caught up in Ireland's heavily academic senior-cycle system. The transition-year module is part of what's known as Ivet (initial vocational education and training), an initiative offering a variety of taster courses that aim to help students develop real, practical life skills, as well as increase the number of further education and training and apprenticeship pathways for students. Andrew Brownlee, chief executive of Solas, which oversees further education and training (FET), says a wide variety of FET pathway courses are being rolled out for transition year. 'These include multimedia, hairdressing, beauty, engineering, basic welding, hospitality, culinary arts, barista, arts, equestrian, aviation, plumbing, outdoor education and advanced robotics,' he says. Different schools are delivering these modules in different ways. 'School 'A' may be delivering the Ivet module through a further education and training pathway course in outdoor learning, whereas school 'B' may be delivering the module through a further education pathway in culinary skills,' Brownlee says. The module format has been developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Solas and Education and Training Boards Ireland, and aims to encourage greater links between schools and FET providers. [ Many apprentices are now on higher salaries than college graduates. Is snobbery around 'earn and learn' options fading? Opens in new window ] 'It's a flexible module that can be delivered as part of a TY programme . . . [but] if a school wished to open the Ivet module to other students, there are no restrictions to prevent this,' Brownlee says. Caítriona Murphy, CEO of Dublin Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, says the Ivet module helps raise awareness among students of apprenticeships and the career opportunities that allow them to earn and learn at the same time when they leave school. 'Students are provided with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and career exploration through apprenticeship-taster courses, career discussions and career pathway events,' Murphy says. 'The benefit for students is that they gain valuable experience by connecting with employers, which can lead to work experience opportunities or potential employment in the future. Additionally, it provides employers with the chance to engage with prospective employees, aiding in workplace development. 'From a student perspective, seeing themselves represented in different areas of FET can help boost self-confidence and make students aware of the opportunities available to them. And most importantly, students are enjoying the experience.' 12/05/2025 - NEWS - ADAMSTOWN CC Paul Hollywood is a teacher at Adamstown Community College, with some TY students, from left; Lianne Esguerra, Musfique Hasan, Kaylesha Naicker, Christina Shaju, Kenneth Low and Nivedha Chandrasekaran,He formerly worked as a plumber before teacher training. He set up an innovative apprenticeship module in the school that gives students hands-on experience of trade skills, where they get to install and plumb toilets and radiator systems. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times The push to give students a real opportunity isn't just about increasing apprenticeship numbers; it's also about moving away from a model that tends to push students – particularly those attending schools in wealthier areas – towards college, whether it suits them or not. Ireland is an international outlier in terms of its focus on one pathway through senior cycle, with less than 10 per cent of senior-cycle students enrolled in a vocational programme, compared with more than 40 per cent in Finland and Norway and more than 50 per cent in the Netherlands, Romania and Poland. [ Should I consider an apprenticeship? Opens in new window ] In France, about 20 per cent of students choose the vocational option. In Sweden, it's about a third. In Ireland, however, only 6.4 per cent opt for the Leaving Cert Applied, described by policymakers as a 'prevocational' programme. Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group, says vocational and academic routes are equally valued in other countries. 'But there's a snobbery here,' he says. 'I've sat at dinners where a parent says that apprenticeships sound great, but they're not for their child. 'But people learn in different ways, and some want to learn by doing, working with their hands. Not only is there good money to be made, but a tradesperson like a plumber or electrician can either immediately go to work for themselves or be snapped up as a subcontractor. It's time for the Department of Education to see this as a real alternative.' Students at Adamstown Community College. 'When we got that toilet to flush, everybody clapped,' says one student who participated in the plumbing course. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien The plumbing taster course: what students at Adamstown Community College think about it Christina Shaju: 'This was an optional course, and I wanted to do it as it was totally different and a good opportunity to learn useful skills. When we got that toilet to flush, everybody clapped. 'I'd no idea about apprenticeships, and I didn't know that, even after qualifying as a tradesperson, you can go on to specialise. As a girl, I thought university was the only option, but this has removed that stigma around apprenticeships. I'm interested in a course like this, perhaps mechanical engineering or something in construction.' Christina Shaju, a student at Adamstown Community College. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Kaylesha Naicker: 'I'd always had an interest in engineering. This allowed me to gain hands-on experience. We had a great teacher, and I enjoyed learning in a calm, relaxing, educational and fun environment. When I leave school, I am looking at apprenticeship options.' Kenneth Low: 'I wasn't sure if I wanted to study science or take a more practical subject. This module helped me to learn that I am more hands-on than academically focused. I was considering medicine, but now I'm thinking about engineering.' Lianne Esguerra: 'I wanted to learn common skills that a lot of older people have or used to have. There was a strong focus on problem-solving skills. There are other pathways besides college, and I have learned that I like working with my hands.' 12/05/2025 - NEWS - ADAMSTOWN CC Student Musfigue, at Adamstown Community College. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times Mussique Hasan: 'A practical, hands-on course that isn't focused on writing – sign me up. At one point, I was hesitant about apprenticeships, but I've learned that I am capable and can work well on a team with others, so it's become a more intriguing option.' Nivedha Chandrasekera: 'I have learned skills for day-to-day life and got to build and work with my hands. I really liked how our teacher taught it. Before this, I didn't know what I wanted to do, and assumed I'd have an office job. Now that I have been building things, and enjoyed it, other options – perhaps engineering or the aircraft industry – are opening up for me.'
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Grafton Group on track to meet its full year expectations
Woodie's DIY and Chadwicks owner Grafton Group said its performance so far this year has been in line with its expectations and, while the more important trading period lies ahead, it remains on track to meet its full year expectations. In a trading update issued ahead of its AGM in Dublin today and covering the period from January 1 to April 27, Grafton said that group revenue amounted to £773.1m, up 7.8% on the same time last year and up 9% on a constant currency basis. Grafton said its revenue benefited from the acquisition of Salvador Escoda, which distributes heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water and renewable products in Spain, and which completed in October. The company said its group average daily like-for-like revenue for the period was 2.7% higher than in the same period last year. It noted that trading over the last two months has been supported by improving trading conditions in certain parts of the group and favourable weather conditions, which more than offset the weather impacted trading conditions experienced in January and February. Grafton said that its Chadwicks business saw like-for-like revenue growth of 3.5% so far this year as trading activity recovered strongly from the impact of Storm Éowyn. It noted that the outlook for growth in construction remains positive with strong support and policy continuity from the Government to increase housing completions and infrastructure investment. But average daily like-for-like revenue in the UK declined by 0.3% in the period under review as business improved, with modest product price inflation of 1-2%, following a slow start to the year. Its Dutch average daily like-for-like revenue grew by 2.9% due to strong demand from key accounts and growth in access control related projects, but Grafton noted that growth in activity has moderated more recently as a result of delays in the commencement of some larger construction projects. Meanwhile, in Finland, IKH's average daily like-for-like revenue declined by 0.8% as mild weather conditions reduced sales of seasonal products which was partially offset by strong growth in export sales to Estonia. It added that the integration of Salvador Escoda in Spain continues to progress well with average daily like-for-like revenue up 6.8%, supported by the timing of strong project related sales and favourable market conditions. In Grafton's retailing division, its Woodie's DIY, Home and Garden business here had a very strong start to the year with average daily like-for-like revenue up 10% on the back of growth in both the number of transactions and average transaction values. Looking ahead, Grafton said that notwithstanding the potential impact of US tariffs and any associated economic uncertainty, the medium term fundamentals remain positive for the company, with housing shortages across all its geographies and an expected recovery in RMI demand after several consecutive years of low levels of investment by households. "The group's balance sheet remains strong with Grafton well positioned to support future development activities as opportunities arise," it added. Eric Born, Grafton Group's CEO, said that after a relatively subdued start to the year, and with the more material trading period lying ahead, the company was pleased that its performance was in line with its expectations, adding that it remains on track for the full year. "We are focused on what we can influence within our businesses rather than being unduly distracted by the uncertainties around us," the CEO said. "Our platform acquisition of Salvador Escoda in Spain towards the end of last year is an exciting foothold into a fragmented and growing market. We continue to actively evaluate opportunities in all our markets to strengthen our position both organically and, where appropriate, by acquisition using the strength of our free cash flow conversion and balance sheet," he added.
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Woodie's 'strong' start to 2025 sees revenue at owner Grafton Group rise by 7.6%
Woodie's owner Grafton Group saw its revenue grow to £773m (€909.5m) in the first four months of the year, reflecting a 7.6% rise on the same period of 2024. In a trading update on Thursday, the group said it was up 9% in constant currency, which discounts fluctuations from foreign currency prices. The company said it remained 'cognisant of the potential risks arising from the imposition of US tariffs on the broader Irish economy and future investment decisions'. Group average daily like-for-like revenue for the period was 2.7% higher than in the same period last year, while in Ireland, the average daily like-for-like revenue, in constant currency, rose 3.5% on the same period in 2024. "The outlook for growth in construction remains positive with strong support and policy continuity from the new Government to increase housing completions and infrastructure investment,' the group said. Woodie's business in Ireland had a 'very strong' start to the year, with like-for-like revenue up 10%. "Well set-up and merchandised stores and favourable weather conditions, combined with strong consumer spending in Ireland, resulted in excellent growth across the business with a particularly strong performance in plants and garden related products," the company said. In Ireland, Chadwicks delivered like-for-like revenue growth of 3.5% in the period as trading activity recovered strongly from the impact of Storm Éowyn. The company said the group revenue had also benefited from the acquisition of Salvador Escoda, a distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water and renewable products in Spain, which was completed in October 2024. 'After a relatively subdued start to the year, and with the more material trading period lying ahead, we were pleased that our performance in the period was in line with our expectations, and we remain on track for the full year," said CEO Eric Born. 'We continue to prioritise meeting our customers' needs and expectations and strive to operate as efficiently as possible.'
Irish Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Woodies DIY owner hails ‘very strong' start to Irish trading year
Grafton, the building and DIY materials group behind the Woodies and Chadwicks brand, said favourable weather conditions and a recovery in activity after Storm Eowyn contributed to a 'very strong' start to its trading year in Ireland against a backdrop of 'subdued' demand in the UK. In a trading update issued ahead of its annual general meeting on Thursday, Grafton said its overall performance had been in line with expectations in the first four months of the year. Group revenues over the period between January and the end of April were £773.1 million, up 7.8 per cent from last year. The figures were boosted by Grafton's acquisition of Spanish air conditioning and heating products distributor Salvador Escoda late last year. Daily like-for-like revenue for the period was 2.7 per cent higher than in the same period last year, the group said. READ MORE 'In Ireland, Chadwicks delivered like-for-like revenue growth of 3.5 per cent in the period as trading activity recovered strongly from the impact of Storm Éowyn,' Grafton said. Overall, it said the outlook for construction in the Republic was 'remains positive' with 'strong support and policy continuity' from the Government. In its Woodies Irish retail division, Grafton said the Republic had a 'very strong start to the year', buttressed by 'strong consumer spending', particularly on plants and garden-related products. Daily like-for-like revenues across the group's distribution division in the UK, however, continued to decline, Grafton said. Demand remains 'subdued', particularly in the greater London area, it said, but said the outlook remains positive with the Labour Party government pledging to increase housing activity. Overall, Grafton said its performance was in line with expectations during what is typically a quieter part of its financial year. With the 'more material' summer trading period ahead, 'we remain on track to meet full-year expectations', the group said, 'notwithstanding the potential impact of US tariffs'. Eric Born, chief executive of Grafton Group, said he is pleased with the performance after a 'relatively subdued' start to the year. 'We are focused on what we can influence within our businesses rather than being unduly distracted by the uncertainties around us,' he said.
