Kildare students and apprentices take part in WorldSkills competition
Some of the Kildare comeptitors taking part in WorldSkills. (front row l-r) Declan Barrett and Megan Yeates, chief examiners; Kaitlyn Davis, competitor. (back row l-r) Eriks Skalbe, Jack Herbert, John Gray, Conor Kelly and Micheal Dempsey
THERE will be a dozen students and apprentices from Kildare taking part in Ireland’s leading event dedicated to promoting skills, apprenticeship careers, and workplace opportunities for young people.
WorldSkills is returning to the RDS, Simmonscourt from the 17_19 September and there will be a dozen competitors from the Lilywhite County.
Across the three days, the students and apprentices from Co Kildare will put their talents and knowledge to the test when they compete against their peers on the national stage during the live competitions taking place at the event.
Over 180 finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades, including automotive, construction, creative arts, hospitality, ICT and manufacturing and engineering.
Those competing from Co Kildare include: Sean Auden, (Digital Construction) Julia Bartecka, (Mechanical Engineering CAD), Andrew Currie (Cyber Security), Kaitlyn Davis (Polymechanics and Automation), Michael Dempsey (Construction Plant Fitting), Conor Kelly (Automobile Technology), Mark Ragasa (Digital Construction BIM), Eriks Skalbe (Industrial Insulation), Andrea Cash (Visual Merchandising and Display), Niamh Gannon (Visual Merchandising and Display), John Gray (Cabinet Making), Jack Herbert (Heavy Vehicle Mechanics).
Now firmly established as a must-attend event in school calendars, it will welcome over 30,000 senior-level secondary students from over 300 schools across Ireland to discover real alternatives to university and explore exciting, future-focused career paths.
In 2024, three-quarters (75%) of student attendees came to learn about practical, skills-based routes, a clear sign of the growing appetite for apprenticeships and technical careers.
"This year, students and apprentices from across the country will compete in 35 different skill areas, each working to exacting standards and under time pressure,” said Ray English, chair of WorldSkills Ireland.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase their abilities and, for some, take the next step towards representing Ireland on the world stage.
“This event opens doors for students to discover exciting alternatives to traditional academic routes, shining a light on the variety of training and apprenticeship options available, and the rewarding careers they can lead to.
“By championing skills and apprenticeships, we’re helping to develop the expertise and innovation needed for Ireland’s industries to thrive.
“The combined support of educators, industry leaders and government makes WorldSkills Ireland a unique and powerful driver for the future of our young people and our economy."
Running alongside the Irish Times Higher Options, WorldSkills Ireland offers some interest for schools, with students gaining exposure to both academic and vocational pathways in a single visit.
Supported by leading industry partners including SISK, Construction Industry Federation, and ESB Networks, education partner the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, and the Government of Ireland and Apprenticeship Ireland, the event will also feature interactive ‘Try a Skill’ zones, immersive VR experiences, industry talks, live demonstrations across trades and technical professions, and companies ready to recruit.
