Offaly resident to represent Ireland at World Skills competition
An Offaly resident is part of the Irish team travelling to the World Skills competition.
Eric Bates, originally from Crumlin in Dublin, but who is now living in Offaly is among 18 participants who will compete as Team Ireland at the 2024 World Skills event in Lyon, France in September.
Eric is an apprentice Painter and Decorator completing his training at CDETB Ballyfermot and TU Dublin
The WorldSkills competition will see over 1,500 competitors from more than 71 countries and regions around the world demonstrate their skills across 62 skills areas. Team Ireland will compete in areas including Industrial Mechanics, Beauty Therapy, Restaurant Service and Cloud Computing.
Speaking today, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “I am delighted to announce the team of 18 inspiring young people who will compete in the world’s biggest skills competition. This event provides a fantastic opportunity for these incredibly talented individuals to demonstrate the quality of their skills and trade on an international stage.
“The World Skills competition also gives us an important platform to recognise and promote the value of skills-based learning in Ireland, and also to celebrate the incredible achievements of these young people here today as they begin their exciting journey to represent their country at this prestigious event.”
Team Ireland competed for the first time in 1957 and has competed at every international competition since then winning 63 Gold medals, 53 Silver medals, 80 Bronze Medals and 174 Diplomas/Medallions of Excellence with 732 Team Ireland competitors. In 2016 Ireland Skills adopted the global branding to become WorldSkills Ireland.
Team Ireland
Automobile Technology: Jamie Connick, Wexford, attended Limerick ETB and SETU. Employer JA Boland Wexford, Apprentice Automobile Mechanic
Beauty Therapy: Ciara O’Sullivan, Kerry, attended Kerry college. Pursuing a degree in MTU after Lyon 2024
Cabinetmaking: Keith Roberts, Galway, is a fulltime student in ATU Letterfrack
Cloud Computing: Fiachra Curran, Dublin is a full-time student in TU Dublin Tallaght
Cookery: Alanna Moffit from Cavan attended TU Dublin and is currently employed with Chef Daniel Hannigan
Cyber Security: Mark Drinan is a cyber security analysist with IBM. Mark lives in Dublin. Cyber Security is a team of two. Mark competed at the Global Skills Challenge in Australia winning a gold Medal in preparation for Lyon 2024
Digital Construction BIM: Liam Roche, Wexford, is a student at SETU in Architectural Technology and a BIM practitioner
Electrical Installations: Sean McLoughlin is a native of Kildare and employed by GMAC Electrical. Sean is completing his apprenticeship and attended LOETB and ATU
MAMF-Industrial Mechanic: Gary Golden, Mayo, attended MSLETB and TUS Limerick for the craft of MAMF and is competing in Industrial Mechanics
Joinery: Joe Kelly, Galway, is an apprentice Carpenter/Joiner attended Donegal ETB and ATU Sligo and is competing in Joinery at Lyon 2024
Logistics Freight Forwarding: Finn Howard, Dublin, is a student at TU Dublin in Logistics studies.
Mechanical Engineering CAD: Ross Jones, Dublin , is a student of Mechanical engineering TU Dublin and is specialising in Computer Aided Design at Lyon 2024
Metal Fabrication: Daniel Kearns, Wexford, is an apprentice at Kent Stainless, Completed phase 2 at WWETB and Phase 6 at MTU
Painting and Decorating: Eric Bates, Offaly, is an apprentice Painter and Decorator completing his training at CDETB Ballyfermot and TU Dublin
Restaurant Service: Kate Ryan, Tipperary, is a full-time student at Shannon College of Hospitality Management
Visual Merchandising: Hannah Foley, Meath, is an undergraduate student at TU Dublin.
Welding: Lee Davison, Donegal, has completed his training at Donegal ETB and is employed at D&F piping