Eight students from County Kildare set to compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023

Eight students and apprentices from County Kildare will put their talents and knowledge to the test this September, when they compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023.

Over 160 National Finalists will go head-to-head at the event 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.

Joining the other National Finalists from across the country are County Kildare natives:

• Thomas Beatty, Enfield and Cathal Gorey, West Rathangan are competing in the Construction Plant Fitting competition;
• Bodhan Tkach, Newbridge, is competing in the Industrial Insulation competition;
• Jack Murphy, Eustace, is competing in the Joinery competition;
• Sean McLoughlin, competing in Electrical Installations competition;
• Jamie Donovan, Celbridge, and Niamh Salmon, Newbridge are competing in the Logistics Freight Forwarding competition, and;
• Connor McDonnell, Athy, is competing in the Metal Fabrication competition.

Commenting on the announcement of 2023’s National Finalists, Ray English, Worldskills Ireland Chair, said: "Congratulations to all the young people from across the country that are set to compete at the National Finals during Worldskills Ireland in September.

"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.

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He continued: "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.

"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."

The Finals Day is set to take place at the RDS, Dublin on Friday, September 22.

The event is free to attend and registration for the event is now open at www.worldskillsireland.ie.

BACKGROUND

Worldskills Ireland is the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships, and careers event.

The event 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.

Supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Eireann 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.

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.

Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, 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..