Students are careering towards a bright future
A baker’s dozen of students and apprentices from Cork are set to compete at Ireland’s largest careers event next month.
The 13 Leesiders will be putting their talents and knowledge to the test from 20-22 September at Worldskills Ireland 2023 at the RDS, Dublin.
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.
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. Commenting on the announcement of 2023’s national finalists, Ray English, Worldskills Ireland Chair, said: “We believe that by 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.
“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.”
Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring talks from industry experts, opportunities 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.
The 13 Cork competitors and their categories are: Maksim Mrdanov (Cloud Computing); Benita Kretschmer (Cookery); Dean Brennan, Anna Kelleher, Amy O’Neill, and Luke Woodside (Cyber Security); Gavin England (Electrical Installations); Conor Kilkenny (Hairdressing); Joe Hughes (Plastic Die Engineering); Sean Healy, Luke Hurley, and Adam McAuliffe (Plastering and Drywall Systems); and Jordan O’Connor (Sheetmetal).
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.
The finals day will take place at the RDS, Dublin on 22 September. The entire event is free to attend but registration is required. Visit worldskillsireland.ie.
Worldskills Ireland 202 is supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Eireann, and Dublin Bus. Education partners include the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), the Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS, and NAO.