Apprentice stonemason Petra O'Flaherty from County Wicklow has been named one of two winners of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026 competition, beating more than 3,000 apprentices from across the UK and Ireland.

The 22-year-old impressed judges during the competition final at Google's London headquarters, becoming the first stonemason to win the title in recent years and helping to secure a landmark moment for the natural stone sector. For the first time in the competition's history, two apprentices were awarded the title, with apprentice electrician Gracie Donaghy also named a champion.

As one of the winners, O'Flaherty receives a package of tools, training and technology worth €10,000, designed to support her future career in the trade. Kerry College, where she is currently completing phase seven of her apprenticeship, also receives €2,000 in Screwfix vouchers.

O'Flaherty's route into stonemasonry reflects a combination of tradition and career reinvention. Following the Covid pandemic, she decided to leave a career in nursing and pursue an apprenticeship in the family trade. She is the eighth generation of stonemasons in her family and the first registered female stonemason in Ireland for more than 30 years.

Her commitment to preserving traditional skills while encouraging greater diversity within the industry was a key factor in her success. O'Flaherty has already helped two other women begin apprenticeships in stonemasonry and regularly uses her own experience to promote the trade as a rewarding career option.

During the final, judges from Screwfix, the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) praised her passion for stoneworking, particularly her enthusiasm for taking locally quarried Irish stone and transforming it into work that will endure for generations.

Sarah Howell, Director of Marketing Communications at Screwfix, said O'Flaherty's dedication to her craft, commitment to local materials and desire to make a positive difference within the industry had made a strong impression on the judges.

"Petra's dedication to her craft and using local materials, together with her drive to make a difference in the industry, are inspirational," she said. "The entire judging panel was moved by her ambition and talent."

Speaking after receiving the award, O'Flaherty said: "The whole experience of the competition has been unbelievable. I've even been able to share my story on TV and radio, but getting the chance to meet and know the other apprentices has been the icing on the cake.

"Sitting there with them as the judges announced the winner, I honestly think we all could have been chosen, so to hear my name was incredible. This award is going to be so valuable to me and my career, but more importantly, to my college and any future stonemasons out there who are thinking of embarking on an apprenticeship.

"I really hope I can use my story to inspire others to consider a career in stonemasonry, and to show that it's never too late to switch careers – it's honestly the best thing I've ever done."