Skills in the Spotlight as WorldSkills Ireland 2024 launches

Welcoming over 24,000 students across 300 secondary schools through its doors last year, WorldSkills Ireland returns this September to promote skills and apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people as they navigate future options following secondary education. A Government and Industry led event, WorldSkills Ireland 2024 is taking place from the 25th – 27th September 2024 at the RDS, Simmonscourt, and will build upon the success of previous events, when thousands of visitors, including students and their parents, gathered to see first-hand the wealth of career options available.

Announcing the return of the event, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan was joined by past WorldSkills Ireland competitors. Minister O’Donovan comments: “Once again, WorldSkills Ireland will celebrate the best of Irish skills opportunities, with competitors from up to 30 disciplines showcasing the best of their skills and professions.

It is a brilliant opportunity for young people from all over the country to explore the variety of skills-based career paths available to them, from traditional fields, like construction and mechanics, to newer areas, such as financial services, green skills and retrofitting.

I hear consistent messages from employers in areas of skills demand, so it’s great to see events like WorldSkills returning, benefitting both students and employers from across Ireland.”

Running concurrently with Higher Options, both events aim to raise the profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships, preparing the talent of today for the careers of the future. Supported by industry partners, SISK, Construction Industry Federation, ESB Networks, Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus and Autodesk, the event is a partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training, and government.

Commenting on the broader impact of the event, Ray English, WorldSkills Ireland-Chair/Technical Delegate, adds: “The skills shortage is one of the major challenges across all sectors today. Simply put, we need more skilled people across multiple sectors, and this event reflects the collective support from education, industry, and government.

“Skills drive the future, and WorldSkills Ireland 2024 will be a true showcase of the ‘best in class’ across many different disciplines, offering young people a wealth of options as they transition from secondary education into the workforce.”

Plans are underway for the 2024 event, and it’s been confirmed that the National Skills finals will be taking place at the event showcasing more than 30 varied skills in a competitive setting.

WorldSkills Ireland 2024 is set to inspire the next generation of skilled young people to follow their passions, interests, and talents. For further information on WorldSkills Ireland, please see www.worldskillsireland.ie or follow WorldSkills Ireland on social media.