Car makers line up to win over apprentices at WorldSkills Ireland 2023

Worldskills Ireland 2023 is set to attract over 28,000 students at Dublin's RDS next week. The three-day event offers school leavers a firsthand look at various career options, from engineering to culinary arts. It features the Heroes stage, Try-a-skill zone, and Careers zone, where more than 160 finalists will compete in 30 live National finals for a chance to represent Ireland in the Worldskills Internationals in Lyon, France.

Volkswagen Group Ireland is a major sponsor of the event, highlighting the importance of Worldskills in recruiting the next generation of talent for the electric vehicle sector. Vicky Halton, Head of Group Technical Service at Volkswagen Group Ireland, emphasizes the growth and opportunities in the EV sector and how apprenticeships play a vital role.

Volkswagen Group Ireland's network of 83 retailers offers apprenticeships, with training conducted at the National Learning Centre in west Dublin. The group encompasses six brands, providing diverse career paths from technicians to electric vehicle specialists.

Also present will be Gowan Auto,  the exclusive distributor of multiple car brands in Ireland, including  Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Honda, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot. Representatives from all nine Gowan Auto brands and shared services colleagues will be present, including technical, warranty, and customer care experts.

Worldskills, a global organization promoting vocational education, will feature over 90 exhibitors at the event. Ray English, Chairman of Worldskills Ireland, stresses the significance of skills and apprenticeships for Irish businesses and the country's economic evolution.

Worldskills Ireland 2023 will take place at RDS Simmonscourt from September 20 to 22.