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Jack Hennessy (third from the left) at the Worldskills 2019 event in the RDS, Dublin.

Four students from Arklow will travel to the RDS, Dublin on September 13 to participate in the prestigious Worldskills Ireland competition.

M ichael Martin, Neil Dodd, Mervyn Castles and Jack Hennessy from Arklow will compete against over 180 young people from across the country in a range of skills-based trades, including automation, robotics, constructions skills and culinary arts.

Having fought off tough competition to secure their places in the prestigious national finals, the four students and apprentices will compete in front of more than15,000 visitors at WorldSkills Ireland – the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships, and careers event.

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A good showing at the competition promises recognition and the possibility of being headhunted, so Michael (cabinetmaking), Neil (plastering) and Mervyn and Jack (sheet metal), will all be bringing their ‘A games’.

Dublin native Jack, who moved to Arklow with his family 22 years ago, began his apprenticeship with a sheet metal company Rathnew. He gained a lot of experience in stainless work, making food displays. When Covid hit, he was made redundant, but has since found work as pipe fitter with Intel in Leixlip.

Having competed at the 2019 Worldskills competition, he feels well equipped for the challenge at hand.

“I did Phase 4 and Phase 6 of my apprenticeship at the Technological University in Dublin (TUD),”Jack said. “A guy called Robert Morris, who was my tutor there, had us do a practical piece of work. Whoever got the best marks in the class went though to Worldskills.

“On the day, we had to build a BBQ. It was a lot of welding and folding, but it was made more intense by not knowing what we had to do until an hour before hand. It was hard on the day. There were people coming up to you asking you questions, and you’re trying so hard to focus on the task.

“So, when Robert nominated me again this year, I jumped at the opportunity. It’s really good for my CV, and I’m just happy I’m getting to do it again.”

Michael Martin, who will compete in the cabinet making competition, has worked as a cabinet maker for the past four years. He attended the TUD Bolton Street Campus where he did a timber technology course. Jack was nominated by his lecturer Aidan Ryan and is eagerly awaiting the event.

“We’ve done a few practice runs, so I’m feeling alright about it,” Michael said. “We don’t find out what the task is until an hour before we start what we’re making, which is a bit nerve-racking. But it should be a really good experience.”

Michael became interested in woodwork while in school. When he finished his Leaving Cert he went into timber industry and secured a job as a cabinet maker in a kitchen company in Arklow. Michael recently started a new job laying floors with a company in Gorey.

“I’m trying to expand on what I can do,” Michael said. “It’s the same with the RDS show – it's all invaluable experience that will make me a more rounded craftsman.”

The three-day Worldskills event will showcase the multiplicity of skills training and apprenticeships on offer nationwide.

Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring real-live talks from industry experts, an opportunity to meet employers who are ready to recruit and the chance to view innovative digital tech skills that are the backbone of jobs of the future.

Ahead of the event Ray English, Worldskills Ireland-Chair/Technical Delegate said, “Skills drive the future and Worldskills Ireland 2022 will be a true showcase of the ‘best in class across many different disciplines’, offering young people a wealth of options as they move from secondary education and look to their future in the world of employment.

“Our competitions equip apprentices and learners with the lifelong, world-class skills that will drive up training standards to the highest level, to help boost Ireland’s productivity and competitiveness.”

For further information on Worldskills Ireland, please see www.worldskillsireland.ie or follow Worldskills Ireland on social media. Group time slots will be allocated from 10:00 – 12:00 or from 13:00 – 15:00. Pre-booking is advised as some times are already sold out. Attendance is free.

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