{"id":626972,"date":"2026-09-17T00:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T00:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/626972\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T00:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T00:36:12","slug":"40000-students-gather-at-worldskills-ireland-2026-irish-building-magazine-ie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/626972\/","title":{"rendered":"40,000 Students Gather at WorldSkills Ireland 2026 | Irish Building Magazine.ie"},"content":{"rendered":"

Running from 16th \u2013 18th September, WorldSkills Ireland brings together students, apprentices, employers and education providers to showcase the career opportunities available through skills, apprenticeships and Further Education and Training.<\/p>\n

At the centre of this year\u2019s event are 31 live National Skills competitions, with more than 160 students and apprentices competing under competition conditions. Finalists will demonstrate their skills across areas including construction, manufacturing and engineering, automotive, creative arts, hospitality and tourism, and digital technology.<\/p>\n

The competitions give students the opportunity to see first-hand the level of skill and technical knowledge required across industry, while offering competitors the chance to test themselves on a national stage.<\/p>\n

Alongside the competitions, visitors can take part in hands-on \u2018Try a Skill\u2019 experiences, meet employers and training providers, hear directly from people working across different industries and explore apprenticeship and Further Education and Training pathways.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event takes place against a backdrop of continued growth in apprenticeships in Ireland. As of 14 September 2026, there are 31,169 registered apprentices in the State, with 88 apprenticeship programmes now available across 17 sectors. These include construction, engineering, ICT, hospitality and food, finance and logistics, with further programmes in development.<\/p>\n

Employer participation has also increased significantly. Some 10,400 employers are now involved in apprenticeship training, compared with 3,300 in 2014.<\/p>\n

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The number of women entering apprenticeships is also continuing to grow. Women now account for 9.86% of the apprentice population, with 3,074 women registered across 1,964 employers. This compares with 2% in 2018.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the opening day of WorldSkills Ireland 2026, Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said:\u00a0\u201cSkills and apprenticeships are fundamental to Ireland\u2019s future. They support our economy, strengthen industries and create real opportunities for people across the country. WorldSkills Ireland brings that message to life by showing young people the value of practical learning and the rewarding careers it can lead to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0WorldSkills Ireland also gives visitors access to employers, Education and Training Boards, Technological Universities and apprenticeship consortium employers, providing students with an opportunity to ask practical questions about training, recruitment and progression.<\/p>\n

WorldSkills Ireland is a Government and all-industry initiative, working hand in hand to deliver the solution to Ireland\u2019s skills shortage. Backed by leading industry partners including SISK, Construction Industry Federation, ESB Networks, Bus \u00c9ireann and Dublin Bus; sector sponsors Symetri, F\u00e1ilte Ireland and SIMI (Society of the Irish Motoring Industry) and feature sponsors MTU, Chadwicks, Irish Rail, Cairn and Kerry College, WorldSkills Ireland brings together an extensive network of industry and education partners. The event is also supported by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, alongside the Government of Ireland and SOLAS.<\/p>\n

WorldSkills Ireland 2026 takes place from Wednesday, 16 September to Friday, 18 September at RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin. Entry is free.<\/p>\n

For further information and to register, visit www.worldskillsireland.ie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow\u00a0Irish building magazine<\/a>\u00a0on LinkedIn for the latest news and updates.<\/p>\n

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