HAI Certificate Graduation Day 2023

After nine months, nine modules and nine Product Knowledge modules, the students of the second year of the HAI Certificate in Hardware Retail and Merchanting completed their learnings, and their hard work was rewarded at the Graduation Day earlier this month.

A number of this year’s students, their mentors, and some of the tutors of the HAI Certificate joined the HAI team at The Osprey Hotel in Naas on the 15th of June to celebrate the students’ successful completion of their learning.

Some of this year’s HAI Certificate students and mentors with their Certificates of Completion: Left to right: Julian Collins (Student), McMahons Builders Providers, Ciaran Connolly (Mentor), Topline Murtaghs, Mark Feehily (Student), McMahons Builders Providers, John McNamara (Mentor), McMahons Builders Providers, Declan Conlon, Octabuild Chairman, Patrick Murtagh (Student), Topline Murtaghs, Aoife Kinsella O’Reilly, Hardware Association Ireland, Martin Markey, CEO Hardware Association Ireland, Tracy Walsh – High Achieving Student, Morris DIY, Sarah Day – Student of the Year 2023, Morris DIY, Clive Long (Mentor), McMahons Builders Providers.

The morning began with a welcome address from HAI CEO Martin Markey, who congratulated all students while giving all a quick overview of the sector and an update on HAI’s current activities. Octabuild, the building manufacturers group who represents some of the top manufacturers in Ireland: Dulux, Etex, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan and Wavin Ireland – was represented by its Chairman, Declan Conlon from Wavin Ireland. He gave a compelling address congratulating the students on their hard efforts and their commitment to continuing their learning and development journey.

Noel Davidson from the Entrepreneur’s Academy, who delivered the Communications Skills and Team Building & Team Leading modules, was present via video, giving the students an impassioned address commending them on their efforts and wishing them the best in their future. Students were also joined by Declan Flood, The Credit Coach, who delivered this year’s Credit Control and Basic Instore Finances modules.

Each student attending was presented with their Certificate of Completion by Declan Conlon and Martin Markey.

Octabuild Chairman Declan Conlon, Student of the Year 2023 Sarah Day (Morris DIY & Builders Providers, and HAI CEO Martin Markey

Octabuild Chairman – Declan Conlon, Tracy Walsh – High Achieving Student, and HAI CEO Martin Markey

While all students displayed excellent commitment to their learning, it was decided by the tutors and HAI team to present the following students with special awards, in recognition of their outstanding efforts, module attendance, assignment submission and demonstrated growth:

High Achieving Student: Tracy Walsh – Morris DIY & Builders Providers

Student of the Year 2023: Sarah Day – Morris DIY & Builders Providers

HAI would like to congratulate all students for their successful completion of the HAI Certificate, and wish them all every success in their careers.

We would also like to thank Octabuild and its members for their support as sponsors of this year’s Certificate, and to all companies, including Octabuild members, who provided their industry knowledge to deliver our Product Knowledge modules this year.

Enrolment is now open for the 2023/2024 year of the HAI Certificate in Hardware Retail & Merchanting. For queries about enrolling please contact Aoife Kinsella O’Reilly at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie or call 01 2980969. 

Read the 2023/2024 brochure for the HAI Certificate here.