Students and apprentices from County Tipperary, who are set to compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023. They are, front row, from left: Brett Adams, Clonmel and Owen Powell, Newport. Back row, from left, are: Conor Bourke, Nenagh, Conor Grace, Nenagh and Luke Slattery, Clonmel.

Tipp finalists at Worldskills Ireland event

Apprentices showcase their talents and skills

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Eight students and apprentices from County Tipperary will put their talents and knowledge to the test this September, when they compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023, the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event.

Taking place at the RDS, Dublin from September 20 to 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, 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.

TIPP COMPETITORS

Joining the other national finalists from across the country are County Tipperary natives:

Brett Adams, Clonmel, is competing in the Automobile Technology competition;

Conor Bourke, Nenagh, is competing in the Carpentry competition;

Luke Slattery, Clonmel, is competing in the Digital Construction BIM competition;

Sophia Quinlan, Thurles, is competing in the Hairdressing competition;

Conor Grace, Toomevaara, is competing in the Industrial Control competition;

Victor Martea, Cahir, is competing in the Industrial Mechanic competition;

Owen Powell, Newport is competing in the Metal Fabrication competition;

Kate Ryan, Cashel, is competing in the Restaurant Service competition.

Finalist Conor Grace is an electrician working with ESB Networks. He attended his Phase 2 training in the Tipperary ETB Further Education and Training Centre in Archerstown, Thurles, from October 2019 to March 2020.

His instructor, Gavin O'Dwyer, commented: “Conor is an exceptional talent with an outstanding aptitude for all aspects of electrical craft, he has a very practical approach to problem solving combined with a positive attitude. Conor was a pleasure to instruct as part of his electrical apprenticeship in Tipperary ETB.”

The management and staff of Tipperary ETB wish him the best of luck in the competition. Supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Éireann 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.

Commenting on the announcement of 2023’s national finalists, Ray English, Worldskills Ireland Chairperson, added: “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.”

Needed now more than ever, Worldskills Ireland 2023 will be a three-day celebration preparing the talent of today for the careers of the future, the event will showcase the multiplicity of skills training and apprenticeships on offer nationwide. Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring 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 that are the backbone of jobs of the future.

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 is set to take place at the RDS, Dublin on Friday, September 22, and is a day not to be missed! Free to attend, registration for the event is now open – www.worldskillsireland.ie.

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