Young Louth butcher: 'Apprenticeship was best for me'

As thousands of students await their Leaving Cert results, Emily Callaghan from Bettystown, Co. Louth, offers a different path: a butcher's apprenticeship.

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It was great knowing I didn't have to rely on a piece of paper from the Leaving Cert and being able to do something I'm actually really interested in and eager to learn more on.

Callaghan realized early on that hands-on learning suited her best. "I'm always better at learning by doing, not just by sitting in a classroom or lecture hall all day," she told RTÉ News. While her family owns a butcher shop, she initially explored university options before committing to the apprenticeship. "Knowing I didn't have to rely on a piece of paper from the Leaving Cert and being able to do something I'm actually really interested in and eager to learn more on" eased her results day anxiety.

She discovered a passion for the trade while working in the family shop during the summer. "It's amazing the amount you can learn from an apprenticeship like that," she said, emphasizing her desire to expand her knowledge beyond what she learned in the shop. The apprenticeship provided a clear career direction, taking "a huge weight" off her shoulders.

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I'm always better at learning by doing, not just by sitting in a classroom or lecture hall all day.

Callaghan is also a vocal advocate for women in trades. She encountered surprised reactions when she announced her chosen career but was determined to show that women are "more than capable" of excelling in fields often seen as male-dominated. "Telling women to do male-dominated things is my favourite thing to do. We can do it and I know loads more women are capable of doing it too," she stated.

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It's amazing the amount you can learn from an apprenticeship like that.

For students unsure about their next steps after receiving their results, Callaghan urges them to find their passion. She highlighted the abundance of PLC courses and apprenticeships available, stressing that happiness comes from pursuing work one truly loves. "Once you find what you truly want to do and love to do, you'll always be happy," she concluded.

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I got a few odd looks when I told people I was doing the apprenticeship as they thought it was something women didn't do, but I was there to show them that it is something we do.