Westmeath apprentice Aaron Ronan (construction metal work ) has returned from Abu Dhabi with a Medallion for Excellence.
The Irish WorldSkills team won seven Medallions for Excellence overall at the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi. The brilliant result has been achieved by the team of 14 young apprentices, trainees and students who represented Ireland at the competition.
The medallions were awarded for welding, aircraft maintenance, plumbing and heating, beauty therapy, restaurant service, construction metal work and cabinet making.
Solas CEO, Paul O’Toole said: “I am delighted for the Irish team of apprentices, trainees and students. Representing your country internationally is a huge achievement in its own right. To bring home seven Medallions of Excellence is a great achievement. The team should be very proud of themselves.”
The Irish young people, all younger than 25 years of age, proved expertise in their chosen field before they left Ireland by competing against their peers to secure their places on the Irish team. They spent the last four days showcasing their skills and talents against competitors from 60 countries.
Competitors, who come from Cavan, Kerry, Waterford, Meath, Westmeath, Tipperary, Louth, Sligo, Wicklow and Kilkenny, have been in full-time training for the past 10 weeks under the direction of their coaches.
The WorldSkills Competition, which is held every two years, is the world’s largest professional education event. Approximately 1,200 competitors from 68 countries and regions will compete in almost 51 different skills and disciplines in Abu Dhabi. All competitors will demonstrate technical abilities both individually and collectively to execute specific tasks for which they study and/or perform in their workplace.
