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06 Sept 2025

Nine students and apprentices from Kildare set to compete at WorldSkills Ireland 2024

The event will take place from September 25 to 27 at the RDS in Dublin

Nine students and apprentices from Kildare set to compete at WorldSkills Ireland 2024

Competitors Sean Collins, Josh Hawkins, Matthew McCauley, Kayleigh Grogan, James Greene and Tomáis Dillon pictured with Examiners Megan Yates, Declan Barrett and Jim Smith

Reporter:

Sandra Malone

06 Sept 2024 12:55 PM

Nine students and apprentices from County Kildare are set to compete at the WorldSkills Ireland 2024 event at the RDS, Dublin from September 25 to 27.

WorldSkills Ireland is the country's leading event dedicated to promoting skills, apprenticeship careers, and workplace opportunities for young people.

The event is set to welcome over 27,000 people across the three days including students, parents and teachers. Its goal is to highlight the importance of apprenticeships, skills and careers with interactive demonstrations, career zones and employers who are ready to recruit present at the event.   
Over 170 finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades including automation, constructions skills, ICT and culinary arts.
Nine students and apprentices from County 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.
 
Those competing from county Kildare include: Scott Callaghan who is competing in the Automobile Technology competition, James Greene and Matthew McCauley who are competing in Cabinetmaking, Kayleigh Grogan who is competing in Hairdressing, Sean McLoughlin who is competing in Industrial Control, Jamie Donovan and Derica Barnor who are competing in Logistics Freight Forwarding, Tomais Dillon who is competing in Painting & Decorating, and Sean Collins who is competing in Polymechanic Automation.
 
Running concurrently with Higher Options, both events aim to raise the profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships, preparing young people for future careers. Supported by industry partners, SISK, Autodesk, ESB Networks, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus, and the Construction Industry Federation, the event is a partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training, and government.
Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, Ray English, has congratulated all those who have earned their positions as finalists, saying: "Congratulations to all the exceptional young individuals who have earned their place as finalists at WorldSkills Ireland in September. This achievement is a testament to their dedication and skill, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate their talents.”
He added: "The event is designed to give students a chance to discover alternatives to university education, showcasing the multiplicity of skills training and apprenticeships on offer and profiling the long-lasting and fulfilling careers currently available across Ireland.
 
"We believe that by promoting skills and apprenticeship opportunities, we can develop innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of various industries. The collaboration between education, industry, and government at WorldSkills Ireland is not only unique, but it is crucial in creating a brighter future for our young people and strengthening Ireland's economy."
 
Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring real-life 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. 
 
For further information on the event and how to register online to attend, see WorldSkills Ireland's website.  

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