Five talented students and apprentices from Laois are preparing to put their skills to the test on the national stage at WorldSkills Ireland 2026.
The three-day event takes place at RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin from Wednesday, September 16 to Friday, September 18, bringing together some of the country’s most talented young people across a wide range of trades and technical disciplines.
More than 160 students and apprentices will compete in 31 National Skills competitions, demonstrating their abilities under live competition conditions.
And Laois will be well represented, with competitors from Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Portarlington taking part.
The five Laois competitors are:
Nazariy Buryak, Portlaoise – Cyber Security
Dylan Booth, Portlaoise – Digital Infrastructure Design
Mikolaj Bielecki, Portlaoise – Mechanical Engineering CAD
Matthew McGinley, Mountmellick – Industrial Insulation
Devlin McLaughlin, Portarlington – Industrial Insulation
They will compete alongside students and apprentices from across Ireland, with competitions spanning construction, manufacturing and engineering, automotive, creative arts, hospitality and tourism, and digital technology.
The competitions form the centrepiece of WorldSkills Ireland, with participants required to demonstrate the precision, technical knowledge and practical expertise demanded within their respective industries.
The event also provides secondary school students with an opportunity to explore careers through apprenticeships, Further Education and Training and other skills-based pathways.
Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said the event aims to demonstrate the importance of these career paths to Ireland’s future.
“Skills and apprenticeships are fundamental to Ireland’s future. They support our economy, strengthen industries and create real opportunities for people across the country,” he said.
“WorldSkills Ireland brings that message to life by showing young people the value of practical learning and the rewarding careers it can lead to.”
He said the event also seeks to challenge perceptions around apprenticeships and technical careers.
“Apprenticeships and technical careers are not alternative or lesser routes; they are ambitious pathways that require real ability and can lead to long-term success.”
Away from the competitions, visitors will be able to take part in interactive demonstrations and ‘Try a Skill’ experiences, while employers, industry bodies and education and training providers will be on hand to discuss potential career pathways.
WorldSkills Ireland will once again run alongside The Irish Times Higher Options, allowing students visiting the RDS to explore university courses, apprenticeships, Further Education and Training, tertiary programmes and skills-based careers in one location.
More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend over the three days, with upwards of 300 schools also due to visit.
For the five Laois competitors, however, the focus will be firmly on their respective competitions as they bid to demonstrate their skills against some of the country’s best young talent.
WorldSkills Ireland 2026 runs from September 16-18 at RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin.
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