Eight Mayo students and apprentices to compete at Worldskills Ireland

EIGHT students and apprentices from County Mayo will put their talents and knowledge to the test this September when they compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023, the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event.

Taking place at the RDS from September 20 to 22, Worldskills Ireland is expected to welcome over 22,000 people, including students, parents and teachers, and will be a live celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers with interactive demonstrations, career zones and employers who are ready to recruit.

Over 160 national finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades including automation, constructions skills and culinary arts, for a chance to win the prestigious Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) Silver Medal and to represent Ireland at Worldskills Lyon next year.

Among them are the following Mayo natives:

Kieran Finnerty, Ballinrobe, who is competing in the Architectural Stonemasonry competition;

James Igoe, Swinford, competing in the Automobile Technology competition;

Cian McCluskey, Louisburgh, competing in the Carpentry competition;

Kevin McHugh, Ballyhaunis, Construction Plant Fitting competition;

Dawid Swierkowski and Aaron Tansey, Castlebar, both competing in the Digital Infrastructure competition;

Gary Golden, Swinford, who is competing in the Industrial Mechanic competition;

Patrick Kerrigan from Westport, Joinery competition.

Supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus and education partners including the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), the Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS and NAO, Worldskills Ireland 2023 is designed to give students a chance to discover the key skills and sectors that drive the Irish economy.

Ray English, Worldskills Ireland chair, said: “Worldskills Ireland is the gateway to Worldskills Lyon in 2024, the 47th international competition, which is taking place in France next year and we know that we have some incredibly talented young people in Ireland who will make us proud during the national and international competitions.

“We believe that promoting apprenticeships and skills-based careers, we can create a brighter future for our young people whilst simultaneously progressing and evolving Ireland’s wider business economy.”

Worldskills Ireland 2023 will be a three-day celebration preparing the talent of today for the careers of the future, the event will showcase the multiplicity of skills training and apprenticeships on offer nationwide. Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring real-live talks from industry experts, an opportunity to meet employers who are ready to recruit and the chance to view innovative digital tech skills that are the backbone of jobs of the future.

Designed to promote skills, apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people, the event allows students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to navigate the options available following secondary education.