Doors Open to Ireland’s Largest Skills Event30,000 Students Gather at WorldSkills Ireland 20259/22/2025 WorldSkills Ireland, the country’s largest skills and apprenticeship event, opens its doors today at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, welcoming more than 30,000 students from over 300 schools nationwide. Running from 17-19 September, the three-day event is a celebration of skills, apprenticeships, and career opportunities, inspiring the next generation of Ireland’s workforce. Now a cornerstone in the school calendar, WorldSkills Ireland 2025 provides a hands-on, inspirational experience for young people exploring pathways beyond traditional academia.  Minister Harkin, Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science opens WorldSkills Ireland 2025 — the country’s biggest showcase of skills and apprenticeships. Pictured with students Evie Devally and Kate Carty from St Andrew’s College, Dublin and John Purcell, Bricklaying Chief Examiner This year’s highlight sees 180 finalists go head-to-head in 35 National Competition Finals spanning construction, engineering, ICT, hospitality, logistics, automotive, creative arts, and more. The live competitions not only showcase the high standard of talent and ambition among Ireland’s apprentices and students, but also shine a light on the essential role skills play in building a future-ready workforce. Speaking about WorldSkills Ireland, Minister Lawless said: “WorldSkills Ireland is more than a competition - it's a national showcase of talent, ambition, and opportunity. It offers students, parents, and teachers a hands-on chance to engage directly with employers and education providers from across the country. At a time when skills are in such high demand across multiple industries, WorldSkills Ireland showcases the wide range of career opportunities available to young people, highlighting practical pathways into apprenticeships.  Ross Hastings from Rosary College, Crumlin with Isabel Johns and Myla Deegan from Griffin Community College, Lucan. “Today, you can become a social worker, civil engineer, or ICT professional through the apprenticeship route - roles that were once only accessible through traditional higher education. These pathways now offer real earning power, internationally recognised qualifications, and sustainable careers. “WorldSkills Ireland is helping to shift perceptions. It's a celebration of the skilled trades and professions that keep Ireland moving - and a reminder that investing in skills is investing in our future. The event underlines how these careers are not second-best, but first-choice options for a new generation ready to shape the future of our economy."  Students Sophie Mcnaughton, Abi Brodrick and Katie Sheridan from Lorento Abbey, Dalkey at WorldSkills Ireland 2025. Opening the show, Minister Harkin added: “Skills form the backbone of our economy, and this event demonstrates just how vital they are to Ireland’s continued growth and prosperity. WorldSkills Ireland shines a spotlight on the diverse and rewarding career paths available to young people – from traditional trades such as construction, engineering, and mechanics to emerging areas like Digital Marketing and ICT that are shaping our future economy. With employers across every sector crying out for skilled talent, the return of WorldSkills Ireland could not be more timely. It provides a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation, connect them directly with industry, and demonstrate that choosing a skills-based career is every bit as valuable and future-focused as pursuing a more traditional academic route.” Students attending will hear from Industry Heroes and rising stars on the Heroes Stage, meet employers actively recruiting new talent, explore opportunities from Ireland’s Education and Training Boards, Technological Universities, Universities, and Apprenticeship Consortium Employers, and experience cutting-edge learning through AI, Virtual Reality, and green technology showcases in the Further Education and Training Village.  Niamh Walsh and Abi Phillips from Lorento Abbey, Dalkey at the Fashion Design, Styling and Visual Merchandising showcase at WorldSkills Ireland 2025. Speaking on the opening day, Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said: “Skills remain at the very heart of Ireland’s economic success. As we mark the fifth year of WorldSkills Ireland, it is clear that this event has grown into a cornerstone of the national education and career calendar, helping to reshape how young people, parents, and educators view skills-based pathways. Each year, the event has expanded its reach and impact, and in 2025 we are proud to bring together education, industry, and government once again to inspire and equip students with the knowledge, insights, and confidence they need to shape their futures. The momentum behind WorldSkills Ireland demonstrates the value of collaboration in tackling the skills gap and ensuring Ireland remains competitive on the global stage.”  Students from St.Raphaela’s Secondary School, Stillorgan watching beauty therapy competition in action. 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). WorldSkills Ireland 2025 takes place at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from 17-19 September, running alongside Higher Options. Entry is free, but registration is required at www.worldskillsireland.ie - a must-attend event for students, parents, and educators shaping Ireland’s future careers.  Kyle Coogan and Will Cullen, students at St. Fintan’s High School, Sutton; Alicia Keating student at Grange Community College, Donaghmede, Dublin and Philip Cleary, Chief Examiner, heavy vehicle mechanics.
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This September, from Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th, Ireland’s largest skills event – WorldSkills Ireland 2025 – returns to the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin. The three-day celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers will inspire young people from across the country as they explore exciting, future-focused career paths and options following secondary education. Firmly established as a must-attend event in school calendars, WorldSkills Ireland 2025 will welcome over 30,000 senior-level secondary students from more than 300 schools nationwide. In 2024, 75% of attendees came specifically to learn about practical, skills-based routes, a clear sign of the growing appetite for apprenticeships and technical careers. Ahead of the event, 180 students and apprentices from across Ireland have been named as competition finalists, including 11 competing in hospitality-based categories such as Cookery, Craft Butchery and Restaurant Service. A unique partnership between Government, Education and Industry, 2025 marks the fifth year of Ireland’s national skills event. Alongside Hospitality & 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, ICT, Automobile and Heavy Vehicle Technology, and Manufacturing and Engineering Technology. 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 sector, including Category sponsor, Fáilte Ireland and competition sponsors, Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA), Chef Network, BWG Food Supplies, MSLETB, Craft Butchers and Corcorans Food Equipment. Commenting on the announcement of the finalists for WorldSkills Ireland, Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, remarked: "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. Ray adds: “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." 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 will feature interactive ‘Try a Skill’ zones, immersive VR experiences, industry talks, live demonstrations across trades and technical professions, and companies ready to recruit. 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 19th September and is a day not to be missed! Free to attend, registration for the event is now open – www.worldskillsireland.ie.  Pic 1 : Alan McCabe, Chief Examiner with competitors Robert Murray, Yeshuah O'Brien Bayer, Niamh McGee, Emily Callaghan, Jason Downey and Martin Browne, Chief Examiner.  Pic 2: Cookery competitors, Yeshuah O'Brien Bayer and Robert Murray  Pic 3: Craft Butchery competitors, Niamh McGee, Emily Callaghan and Jason Downey
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