More than 30,000 students from over 300 schools converged on the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin for WorldSkills Ireland 2026. The country's largest skills and apprenticeship showcase offers hands-on insight into careers, apprenticeships and technical education.

Now a mainstay of the school calendar, the event gives young people an immersive look at pathways beyond traditional academic routes.

Across three days, 160 finalists will compete live for the DFHERIS Silver Medal 2026, demonstrating technical excellence, professionalism and ambition. The contests also provide a pathway to represent Ireland at the 49th International WorldSkills Competition in Japan in 2028.

reland's 2025 National Skills Competition winners are also preparing to compete in 15 skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September 2026. Held biennially, WorldSkills International sets the global benchmark for skills excellence, with national contests feeding into international selection.

Speaking at the event, 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."

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Opening the showcase, 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".

Attendees can hear from industry leaders and emerging talent on the Heroes Stage, meet employers hiring the next generation of skilled professionals, and explore routes offered by Education and Training Boards, Technological Universities, Universities and Apprenticeship Consortium Employers. The Further Education and Training Village features interactive demonstrations in AI, virtual reality and green technologies.

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 joint government–industry initiative addressing the national skills shortage. Key partners include 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); and feature sponsors MTU, Chadwicks, Irish Rail, Cairn and Kerry College. A further 28 competition sponsors support skills across the event. The Institute of Guidance Counsellors is the education partner, with support from the Government of Ireland and SOLAS.

WorldSkills Ireland 2026 takes place at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from 16–18 September alongside Higher Options. Entry is free, with advance registration required at www.worldskillsireland.ie.