Eight Mayo students and apprentices from set to compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023

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

Taking place at the RDS, Dublin from September 20-22, 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.

Successful finalist will be in the with chance of winning the prestigious Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) Silver Medal and to represent Ireland at Worldskills Lyon next year.

Joining the other National Finalists from across the country are Mayo natives: Kieran Finnerty (Ballinrobe) who is competing in the Architectural Stonemasonry competition; James Igoe (Swinford), who is competing in the Automobile Technology competition; Cian McCluskey (Louisburgh), who is competing in the Carpentry competition; Kevin McHugh (Ballyhaunis), who is competing in the Construction Plant Fitting competition; Dawid Swierkowski and Aaron Tansey (Castlebar), are both competing in the Digital Infrastructure competition; Gary Golden (Swinford) is competing in the Industrial Mechanic competition and Patrick Kerrigan (Westport) is competing in the Joinery competition. 

Supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus and education partners including the 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.

Commenting on the announcement of 2023’s National Finalists, Ray English, Worldskills Ireland Chair congratulated all the young people set to compete at the National Finals during Worldskills Ireland.

Mr English said that were were 'some incredibly talented young people in Ireland' who will go on to represent the country in Worldskills Lyon in France 2024. 

"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," he said.

"This year it has been announced that Higher Options, the annual education expo for second level students run by The Irish Times in partnership with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, is joining forces with Worldskills Ireland 2023 to create a mega careers event for young people. 

"We are dedicated to empowering and inspiring the next generation of skills professionals in Ireland and we’re excited to work alongside our partners to continue to elevate the perception of skills and apprenticeships throughout various sectors and industries."