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From:Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

More than 30,000 students from over 300 schools across Ireland will attend WorldSkills Ireland 2026 at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin as the event gets underway this morning (Sept 16). Running from 16-18 September, Ireland's largest skills and apprenticeship event offers young people the chance to discover hands-on career opportunities, explore apprenticeships and experience the world of skills firsthand.

Now firmly established as a key fixture in the school calendar, WorldSkills Ireland offers an immersive and inspiring experience for young people exploring career pathways beyond traditional academic routes.

At the event 160 finalists will demonstrate their technical expertise, knowledge and professionalism as they compete for the prestigious DFHERIS Silver Medal 2026. These live competitions showcase the exceptional talent, dedication and ambition of Ireland’s apprentices and students, while highlighting the vital role skills development plays in building a competitive, innovative and future-ready workforce. The competition offers a pathway to representing Ireland at the 49th International WorldSkills Competition in Japan in 2028.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s 2025 National Skills Competition winners will compete in 15 skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September 2026. Held every two years, WorldSkills International is the global benchmark for skills excellence, with Ireland’s national competitions serving as a key pathway to international selection.

Speaking at WorldSkills Ireland, Minister Lawless said:

"WorldSkills Ireland gives us a glimpse of the future workforce. It's a chance to see talented young people putting their skills to the test and showcasing the creativity and expertise that employers across Ireland are looking for. What's particularly exciting is the diversity of careers on display.

"From engineering and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, construction, digital technologies, finance and the public service, these competitions the incredible opportunities available to people who choose to develop practical, high-value skills. As technology continues to transform how we live and work, the demand for skilled people has never been greater. One of the biggest challenges facing employers is finding the talent they need, and that's where apprenticeships have such an important role to play. They provide people with a direct pathway into rewarding careers while helping employers build the workforce they need for the future. Events like WorldSkills Ireland remind us that investing in skills is investing in people, and in Ireland's future success."

Opening the event, Minister Harkin added:

"WorldSkills Ireland is helping to redefine what success looks like for the next generation. It challenges assumptions about who belongs in certain careers and demonstrates that talent, not tradition, should determine opportunity. If Ireland is to meet its future skills needs, particularly in construction, we need to attract and support talent from every part of society.

"Encouraging more women into construction is not just about representation; it is essential to building the skilled workforce that will deliver the homes, infrastructure and sustainable development our future depends on. WorldSkills Ireland connects ambition with opportunity, giving young people the confidence to pursue careers they may never have considered and showing them how their skills can help build stronger communities, a stronger economy and a stronger Ireland”.

Students attending will hear from industry leaders and emerging talent on the Heroes Stage, connect with employers seeking the next generation of skilled professionals, and explore pathways offered by Ireland’s Education and Training Boards, Technological Universities, Universities, and Apprenticeship Consortium Employers. They will also experience the future of learning through interactive showcases featuring AI, virtual reality, and green technologies in the Further Education and Training Village.

Ray English, Official Delegate, WorldSkills Ireland, said:

"WorldSkills Ireland is about far more than competition. It is about inspiring the next generation to discover the opportunities that exist through skills, apprenticeships, further and higher education, and industry.

"Every year, we see thousands of young people engage directly with careers they may never have considered before, meeting employers, educators and skilled professionals who are shaping Ireland's future workforce. This event celebrates excellence, ambition and achievement, while demonstrating the vital role that skills play in driving innovation, economic growth and sustainable career opportunities across Ireland. We are proud to work alongside the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, SOLAS, & our industry partners and education providers in showcasing the extraordinary talent and potential of our young people."

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 John Sisk & Sons, the Construction Industry Federation, ESB Networks, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus; sector sponsors Symmetry, Fáilte Ireland and SIMI (Society of the Irish Motoring Industry); feature sponsors MTU, Chadwicks, Irish Rail, Cairn and Kerry College; and 28 additional competition sponsors supporting skills across the event, WorldSkills Ireland brings together an extensive network of industry and education partners. The event is also supported by our education partner, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, alongside the Government of Ireland and SOLAS.

WorldSkills Ireland 2026 takes place at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from 16-18 September, running alongside Higher Options. Entry is free, but registration is required atwww.worldskillsireland.ie- a must-attend event for students, parents, and educators shaping Ireland’s future careers.