Mr. John Twohig:

Like Mr. O’Toole, I am delighted to be here with our fantastic competitors, who are worthy ambassadors at the WorldSkills Competition. I would like to provide a short overview of the steps that occur in Ireland ahead of every WorldSkills Competition and how our team is selected. The Department of Education and Skills introduced national and international skills competitions to Ireland in 1957. Ireland has participated in all competitions since, with approximately 20,000 apprentices and technicians participating. Since 1957, Ireland has hosted the competition twice, in Dublin in 1963 and in Cork in 1971.

The competitions were originally known as the National Apprentice Competitions but are now called WorldSkills Competitions. The WorldSkills Ireland Council runs 26 national competitions each year and the Irish WorldSkills team is selected from our national competitions. Competitors who take part in the WorldSkills Ireland and WorldSkills competitions are selected from their respective skills and trades, based on their competence and ability to complete test projects to the highest international standards, under pressure from fixed time schedules and requirements for precise dimensions and control. During the period from 1957 to 2017, 37 competitions have been held and we have sent a total of 698 competitors. Some 193 medals have been won; 61 gold, 53 silver and 79 bronze.

Up to 1961, the competing countries were mainly European, with the exception of Morocco in 1953 and 1955, which at that time was a north African Spanish protectorate. In 1962, Japan participated in the competition for the first time and the International Vocation Training Organisation, IVTO, now evolved into a world organisation. The organisation has grown over the years, and is now known as WorldSkills International. With a membership of 79 countries, it holds biennial skill competitions and is engaged in other skill promotion activities around the world.

Last year we were delighted to have 140 competitors from all over Ireland compete for the Department of Education and Skills silver medal in their respective skills. Institutes of technology and education and training boards facilitated this competition, along with the highly skilled competitors who represent the very best in Irish industry and education. A team of 14 competitors were chosen to compete in the 44th WorldSkills competition which was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 14 to 19 October 2017. The competitors were selected from the 2016 and 2017 National Skills finalists. The selection process started in early 2017.

The team travelled to Abu Dhabi to showcase their skills and talents in the following areas: aircraft maintenance, automobile technology, beauty therapy, cabinetmaking, heavy vehicle maintenance, construction metal work, electrical installations, industrial control, joinery, plastering and dry wall systems, plastic die engineering, plumbing and heating, restaurant service, and welding. Each member of the Irish team, all of whom are under 25 years of age, has proven expertise in their chosen field, having competed against their peers to secure their places at the competition.

We were very proud to have the team come home with a total of seven medallions for excellence and a Best of Nation award. Medallions for excellence are awarded to those competitors who achieve above-average scores in their contest areas and the Best of Nation is awarded to the competitor who gains the highest points or highest medal in the team of their country or region.