FREE Registration is now open: worldskillsireland.ie
THIS September, Ireland’s largest skills event – Worldskills Ireland – will open its doors at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, promoting trade industry skills and apprenticeship opportunities for young people as they navigate future options following secondary education.
Following the incredible success of the 2019 event when 12,000 people visited across three-days, the event is returning from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th September, and will be a live celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers to inspire young people from across the country.
Foodservice, Hospitality and Tourism, and exploring what it takes to succeed in the industry, will be a key focus at this year’s event. Across three action-packed days, the event will bring young people together through interactive events and demonstrations and will give them the opportunity to meet face-to-face with employers who are ready to recruit.
Ray English, Worldskills Ireland-Chair/Technical Delegate comments: “What makes Worldskills Ireland so unique is the support of government, industry and education. This combined effort demonstrates how important skills are to our economy now, and in the future, in terms of addressing the skills shortage, and showing our young people, and their parents, the wealth and quality of apprenticeships and learning opportunities that are on offer.”
Adrian Cummins, CEO Restaurants Association of Ireland and Member National Apprenticeship Alliance adds: “Worldskills Ireland is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the talent Ireland has currently in its hospitality sector and to demonstrate to future generations the skill set and rewarding work of hospitality professionals.
“For the chef apprenticeships in particular which the Restaurants Association of Ireland co-developed, current and future apprentices have the opportunity to earn while they learn and gain both invaluable industry experience and a qualification simultaneously. We would encourage students, secondary level students in particular, to come along and speak to the chef apprentices themselves so they can get a feel for what it is like to work in one of the World’s most renowned hospitality industries.”
This year, at Worldskills Ireland, Fáilte Ireland will be promoting their many tourism careers initiatives both from their stand and on the Heroes Stage. Jenny De Saulles, Director of Sector Development at Fáilte Ireland, comments: “We’ve seen a return of international visitors to Ireland. Visitors who are travelling to all four corners of the country and this provides a huge opportunity for young people to join an industry that is innovating and adapting. Tourism is a very exciting prospect for somebody who wants to develop professionally and progress fast.
“Visitors to our stand will also get to see some of the best of the industry in action, as we will be encouraging attendees to try a skill with a top mixologist leading the way. Hopefully, that will give attendees a taste of the excitement and fun which underpins our industry and makes sure that millions of people visit and return to Ireland each year.”
“Worldskills is providing us with a very unique opportunity to bring together all of the main elements of the tourism landscape.”
Supported by industry partners, SISK, Designer Group, Construction Industry Federation, ESB Networks and Autodesk, and Education Partners including, The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), The Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS and NAO. Worldskills Ireland 2022 has been designed to raise the profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships, preparing the talent of today for the careers of the future.
Denyse Campbell, President of the Irish Hotels Federation adds: “Through its collaboration with tourism and hospitality, Worldskills provide an excellent starting point for students to explore how they can develop their skills into a rewarding career in our industry. Hospitality provides an excellent environment to learn new skills, with opportunities like apprenticeships and further education supporting sustained career progression.
“The hotel sector in particular offers a wealth of diverse and dynamic career opportunities across a broad range of skills levels, backgrounds and interests including areas such as sales and marketing, HR, finance, management, food and beverage, leisure centre and spa facility management, reception and accommodation services.
“Few sectors provide such a wide range of career paths with plenty of opportunities to support professional growth while working with great people and developing skills. As we continue to regrow our teams, there are a wealth of career options available, and we very much look forward to discussing these further at the upcoming event.”
Celebrating excellence within the industry, the National Skills finals will be taking place at the event showcasing more than 25+ varied skills in a competitive setting. Hospitality Skills will include a range of exciting competitions, supported by Chef Network and Bunzl, from cooking to restaurant service contests and Craft Butchery, sponsored by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) and Craft Butchers Association.
Speaking ahead of the event and on the importance of Worldskills Ireland, Ruth Hegarty, Chef Network comments: “Worldskills Ireland is a great event showcasing the exciting opportunities within the hospitality and foodservice sector. It’s a unique chance for students to talk directly to education and training providers and, perhaps most importantly, to meet people who have enjoyed wonderful careers in the industry.”
She adds:“Apprenticeships are a superb way for anyone to enter hospitality and food professions. They provide vital practical skills and well-trained personnel to the industry, while providing a pathway for young people or those changing career to earn money while gaining a qualification. We need wider recognition of the fantastic opportunities and real career progression that exist in this sector. Once you have gained hospitality skills through an apprenticeship, your career can really take you anywhere”.
As main equipment supplier to the foodservice competitions, Brendan Brosnan from Corcoran Food Equipment comments: “We are delighted to be supporting Worldskills Ireland. This event focuses on investing in the future of the hospitality community and industry with the purpose of not only tackling the skills gap, but also to inspire the next generation to pursue a career in a skill focused job.
“Hospitality is one of the most exciting industries to work in, it is dynamic and diverse and offers a raft of opportunities, many of which will be on display at the three-day event. We hope this event will give young people visiting the show the opportunity to learn about taking up an apprenticeship or skill in the hospitality sector as an exciting career path.
Brendan continues: “Corcoran Food Equipment are the main equipment supplier for the hospitality skills competitions. We are pleased that the sector’s brightest stars are being given the chance to test themselves in competition against their peers and look forward to witnessing the array of skills on display”.
Worldskills Ireland is set to inspire the next generation of skilled young people to follow their passions, interests and talents for the securement of their own future, and of Ireland’s. From Hospitality and Tourism, Health and Lifestyle, to Construction and Infrastructure, Engineering and Technology and NEW for 2022 all things Digital, Business and Creative, Worldskills Ireland gives students the chance to discover the key skills and sectors that drive the Irish economy.
For further information on Worldskills, please see www.worldskillsireland.ie or follow Worldskills Ireland on social media. Register to visit now at www.worldskillsireland.ie
Opening hours are from 10:00 – 17:00 and group time slots will be allocated from 10:00 – 12:00 or from 13:00 – 15:00. Attendance is free.
