Apprentice fitter is only Westmeath participant in WorldSkills Ireland
A 21-year old apprentice fitter from Ballinea, Mullingar, has been named as the only Westmeath participant in this year’s WorldSkills Ireland competition, taking place later this month.
Ryan Boyne, who is employed by Trend Technologies, and who is in the final year of his training, was nominated to take part by Technical University Dublin (TUD), where he is undertaking the academic and technical elements of his apprenticeship studies.
A past pupil of St Baoithin’s NS in Loughnavalley and Coláiste Mhuire in Mullingar, Ryan, who is son of Elaine and the late Seán Boyne, plays hurling with Castletown Geoghegan and football with St Malachy’s.
The category in which Ryan will be competing at WorldSkills Ireland, as it returns to the RDS, Simmonscourt on September 17-19, is that of polymechanics and automation.
Across the three days, 180 finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades, including automotive, construction, creative arts, hospitality, ICT and manufacturing and engineering.
“There are six of us in our category, but most of our competition takes place away from Simonscourt because we will be using milling machines and lathes,” says Ryan, adding that almost four years on from leaving school he is happy to have won an apprenticeship place in a field that interests him and which offers excellent career prospects.
The Worldskills event is dedicated to promoting skills, apprenticeship careers, and workplace opportunities.
Some 30,000 senior-level secondary students from 300 schools across Ireland will attend to discover alternatives to university and explore future-focused career paths.
Celebration
Ray English, chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said: “WorldSkills Ireland is a celebration of talent and a vital platform for promoting apprenticeship and skills-based career opportunities. This year, students and apprentices from across the country will compete in 35 different skill areas, each working to exacting standards and under time pressure. It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase their abilities and, for some, take the next step towards representing Ireland on the world stage.
“This event opens doors for students to discover exciting alternatives to traditional academic routes, shining a light on the variety of training and apprenticeship options available, and the rewarding careers they can lead to. By championing skills and apprenticeships, we’re helping to develop the expertise and innovation needed for Ireland’s industries to thrive. The combined support of educators, industry leaders and government makes WorldSkills Ireland a unique and powerful driver for the future of our young people and our economy.”