This September, Ireland’s largest skills event – WorldSkills Ireland 2024 – will open its doors at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, promoting trade industry skills and apprenticeship opportunities for young people as they navigate future options following secondary education.

Attracting 30,000 students from across Ireland, the event is returning from Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th September, and will be a celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers to inspire young people from across the country.

Ahead of the event, 172 students and apprentices from across Ireland have been named as competition finalists who will compete on the national stage, 15 of whom will be competing in Hospitality and Tourism based competitions that include Restaurant Service, Cookery and Craft Butchery.

A unique partnership between Government, Education and Industry, 2024 marks the fourth year of Ireland’s national skills event. Alongside Hospitality and Tourism, the event will expose the incredible opportunities on offer through an apprenticeship or skills-based career across a multitude of industries including Construction, Creative Arts, Hospitality and Tourism, ICT, Automotive & Heavy Vehicle Technology and Manufacturing and Engineering Technology.

“Cooking has always been my passion, but I wanted to take that love for food to the next level, so I chose the National Craft Butchery Apprenticeship Programme with MSLETB Sligo TC,” comments Kelly Mairs, who will be competing at WorldSkills Ireland next month.

“When I decided to pursue an apprenticeship, I knew I was taking a different path than most of my friends, but it was the right one for me. The hands-on experience I’m gaining every day is invaluable, and I’m learning the craft from the ground up, working with quality ingredients, and honing my skills in a way that a traditional classroom setting just can’t offer.

“There are so many great opportunities out there for those who choose to start their careers through an apprenticeship program. You get to learn directly from industry professionals while earning and growing in your field. Competing on the national stage at WorldSkills Ireland in September, against the best from across the country, is an incredible honour, and I’m excited to represent my trade.”

Committed to promoting excellence in skills and driving economic growth through a skilled workforce, this year’s event is supported by industry leaders across the hospitality and tourism sector, including Fáilte Ireland, Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA), Chef Network, BWG Foodservice, Corcorans Food Equipment, Ashford Castle, MSLETB & Craft Butchers to name but a few.

Sarah Dolly, Head of Tourism Careers at Fáilte Ireland and Hospitality and Tourism category sponsor comments: “Tourism is an exciting and dynamic profession with a wealth of opportunities for young people to build successful and fulfilling careers. From front of house roles to strategic positions behind the scenes, the variety of careers within the sector is vast, and the skills gained are both transferable and highly valued across multiple sectors. Tourism is a profession that offers great progression and development opportunities and, with the continued growth in demand for tourism experiences, there’s never been a better time for young people to consider a career in this vibrant sector.

“That’s why WorldSkills Ireland is such a valuable event. It offers students an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with professionals from the tourism and hospitality industry, learn about the diverse career paths available, and discover how they can build a rewarding future in this field. We’re thrilled to be the main sponsor of the Hospitality & Tourism category competitions and look forward to engaging with students, teachers, and parents over the three days to showcase the wealth of opportunities within tourism.”

Commenting on the announcement of the finalists for WorldSkills Ireland, Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland 2024, remarked: “Congratulations to all the exceptional young individuals who have earned their place as finalists at WorldSkills Ireland in September. This achievement is a testament to their dedication and skill, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate their talents.”

Ray adds: “WorldSkills Ireland 2024 is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of skills and a vital platform for promoting apprenticeship and skills-based career opportunities. The event is designed to give students a chance to discover alternatives to university education, showcasing the multiplicity of skills training and apprenticeships on offer and profiling the long-lasting and fulfilling careers currently available across Ireland.

“We believe that by promoting skills and apprenticeship opportunities, we can develop innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of various industries. The collaboration between education, industry, and government at WorldSkills Ireland is not only unique, but it is crucial in creating a brighter future for our young people and strengthening Ireland’s economy.”

Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring real-live talks from industry experts, an opportunity to meet employers who are ready to recruit and the chance to view innovative digital tech skills that are the backbone of jobs of the future.

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 set to take place at the RDS, Dublin on Friday 27th September and is a day not to be missed! Free to attend, registration for the event is now open – www.worldskillsireland.ie.