Mullingar, Delvin and Ballynacargy students to compete at Worldskills Ireland 2023

Five students and apprentices from Westmeath 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, on September 20-22, Worldskills Ireland is expected to welcome 22,000 people including students, parents and teachers, and will be a celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers with interactive demonstrations, career zones and employers who are ready to recruit.

More than 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 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 Westmeath natives:

Michael Burke, Mullingar, competing in the Automobile Technology competition;

Cameron Murtagh, Delvin, competing in the Industrial Insulation competition;

Eric Bates, Mullingar, competing in the Painting and Decorating competition;

Frank Moffit, Ballynacargy and Scott Murtagh, Delvin, both competing in the Plumbing and Heating competition.

Supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus and education partners including 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.

Ray English, Worldskills Ireland chair, said: “Congratulations to all the young people that are set to compete at Worldskills Ireland in September.

“Worldskills Ireland is the gateway to Worldskills Lyon in 2024, the 47th international competition, 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.

“We believe that promoting apprenticeships and skills-based careers, we can create a brighter future for our young people while progressing and evolving Ireland’s 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 careers event for young people.”

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 at the RDS on Friday September 22. Free to attend, registration for the event is now open at worldskillsireland.ie.