National success for Ballinea’s Ryan Boyne at WorldSkills finals
A 21-year old Mullingar came top of his category at the Apprenticeship Worldskills Silver Medals awards in Dublin a fortnight ago.
Ryan Boyne from Ballinea, was named as a winner in the polymechanics and automation section.
Across all the classes, Ryan Boyne was the only Westmeath apprentice taking part in this year's competition, beating off stiff competition from three other competitors in the final.
Employed by Trend Technologies, and is in the final year of his training, Ryan was nominated to take part by Technical University Dublin (TUD), where he is undertaking the academic and technical elements of his studies.
Ryan is a past pupil of St Baoithin’s NS in Loughnavalley and Coláiste Mhuire in Mullingar. The third son of Elaine and the late Seán Boyne, he plays hurling with Castletown Geoghegan and football with St Malachy’s.
With 180 other apprentices across a wide range of skills-based trades, including automotive, construction, creative arts, hospitality, ICT and manufacturing and engineering, Ryan was required to carry out a variety of technical tasks over the course of the past three days.
The apprentices competition was just one element of WorldSkills Ireland 2025, Ireland’s largest skills and apprenticeship showcase, which attracted an attendance of more than 30,000 students from over 300 schools across the country. Over three days, young people got to experience first-hand the wide range of skills, trades, and career opportunities now on offer.
The event gave students the chance to meet employers, try out different skills, hear from apprentices already working in their industries, and see the latest technologies in action. From construction and engineering to digital, hospitality, horticulture and the creative arts, WorldSkills Ireland gave a real insight into the many different career paths available outside the traditional academic route.
Celebrating excellence within the industry, a highlight was the National Competition Finals, where 180 competitors took part in 35 different skills finals, spanning manufacturing, engineering, ICT, automotive, hospitality, creative arts, logistics, and more. Local Westmeath student, Ryan Boyne, studying ICT at TU Dublin, won gold in the Polymechanics and Automation competition, beating off stiff competition from three other competitors in the final.
Speaking about the event, Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said: “The standard of skill across the board was extremely high and shows the real quality coming through our apprenticeship and training programmes. WorldSkills Ireland has become a real showcase for what’s possible – for students, parents, and teachers alike.”
WorldSkills Ireland is a Government and all-industry initiative, working hand in hand to deliver the solution to Ireland’s skills shortage. Backed by leading industry partners including SISK, Construction Industry Federation and ESB Networks; sector sponsors including SIMI (Society of the Irish Motoring Industry) and Fáilte Ireland; and education partner, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, the event is also supported by the Government of Ireland and the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO). The event continues to play a key role in raising awareness of skills-based careers and inspiring the next generation of Ireland’s workforce.