Five Laois students prepare for WorldSkills Ireland competition

FIVE students and apprentices from Co Laois will compete on the national stage this month when WorldSkills Ireland returns to the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from 16-18 September.

The young people representing Laois at this year’s WordSkills Ireland are Nazariy Buryak from Portlaoise, competing in cyber security; Dylan Booth from Portlaoise, competing in digital infrastructure design; Mikolaj Bielecki from Portlaoise, competing in mechanical engineering, CAD; Matthew McGinley from Mountmellick, competing in industrial insulation; and Devlin McLaughlin from Portarlington, also competing in industrial insulation.

WorldSkills Ireland, the country's leading showcase of skills, apprenticeships, further education and training and skills-based careers, brings together Ireland’s next generation of talent every year for a packed three-day schedule of live competitions, interactive experiences and opportunities to explore education, training and career pathways.

More than 160 students and apprentices will compete across 31 live national skills competitions. Working under competition conditions, they will demonstrate industry-standard skills in real time. The competitions will cover various sectors, including construction, manufacturing and engineering, automotive, creative arts, hospitality and tourism and digital technology.

Commenting ahead of the event, Ray English, WorldSkills Ireland chair, said: “Skills and apprenticeships are fundamental to Ireland’s future. They support our economy, strengthen industries and create real opportunities for people across the country. WorldSkills Ireland brings that message to life by showing young people the value of practical learning and the rewarding careers it can lead to.” Alongside the competitions, WorldSkills Ireland 2026 will also offer students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors the opportunity to explore skills and apprenticeship and skills-based pathways through interactive demonstrations through hands-on ‘Try a Skill’ experiences, industry talks and direct engagement with employers, industry bodies and education and training providers.

The event aims to challenge outdated perceptions surrounding vocational and technical careers, while highlighting the vital role that skilled people play in supporting communities, strengthening industries and driving Ireland’s economy.

WorldSkills Ireland will once again run alongside The Irish Times Higher Options. Together, the events will allow visiting students to explore the full range of options available after school, including university, apprenticeships, further education and training, tertiary programmes and skills-based careers during a single visit to the RDS.

With more than 30,000 visitors expected and over 300 schools set to attend, WorldSkills Ireland will provide a unique platform for young people to meet employers and education providers, experience skills in action and discover the education, training and career pathways available to them.

For further information and to register, visit the WorldSkills website or follow the organisation on social media.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.