Limerick students and apprentices to compete at WorldSkills event in the RDS

NINE STUDENTS and apprentices from Limerick will be competing live at the WorldSkills Ireland event in the RDS, Dublin.

WorldSkills Ireland is an event “dedicated to promoting skills, apprenticeship careers, and workplace opportunities for young people”.

It will be returning to the RDS, Simmonscourt from Wednesday, September 17 to Friday, September 19, 2025.

The event will welcome over 30,000 senior-level secondary students from over 300 schools across Ireland to “discover real alternatives to university and explore exciting, future-focused career paths”. 

Across the three days, nine students and apprentices from Limerick will put their talents and knowledge to the test when they compete against their peers on the national stage during the live competitions taking place at the event.

Over 180 finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades including automotive, construction, creative arts, hospitality, ICT and manufacturing and engineering. 

Those competing from Limerick include: Joseph Collins and Adam Harbour, competing in Plumbing and Heating,  Sandali Mahanama and Ethan Prichard-Ellis, competing in Mechanical Engineering CAD, Michael Svirydav, competing in Cyber Security Caitlyn Valerie and Charlie Ward, competing in Cooking, Seamus Houlihan, competing in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics and Eoin Lynch, competing in Plastering & Drywall Systems.

Commenting on the announcement of the finalists for WorldSkills Ireland, Ray English, chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said: "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."

READ MORE: Cream rises to the top as Limerick dairy farmers honoured at ceremony

He added: "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."

Supported by industry partners including SISK, Construction Industry Federation, and ESB Networks, education partner the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, and the Government of Ireland and Apprenticeship Ireland, the event will also 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. 

A spokesperson for the event said: “In 2024, 75% of student attendees came to learn about practical, skills-based routes, a clear sign of the growing appetite for apprenticeships and technical careers.”

The event is free to attend, with registration for the event now open at www.worldskillsireland.ie.