Two students from Donegal ETB are competing in the National WorldSkills Ireland competition in the RDS this week.
Lee Davison from Buncrana and Orlagh McGuiness from Glenties will be competing against more than 180 other young people from across the country in a range of skill-based trades including automation, robotics, construction skills and culinary arts.
This is Ireland’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event and they will compete in front of over 15,000 visitors.
Orlagh, a former St Columba’s Comprehensive student, is competing in the competition having completed a hairdressing course with Donegal ETB in May 2021, a lot of her training having takien place remotely because of the pandemic. She now works full-time in Catriona’s Hair Salon in Glenties.
Orlagh was nominated by ETB Hairdressing Instructor, Katherine Gilmour and since March has been preparing for the competition every Monday on her day off.
Lee, a former Crana College student, is competing in the welding competition.
He is currently a coded pipe welding student having previously completed a basic welding course in Gaoth Dobhair and intermediate welding course in Letterkenny with Donegal ETB.
He was nominated by ETB Senior Welding Instructor and WorldSkills Ireland Welding Expert, Cathal McGee and has been undertaking additional training with Cathal in preparation for the competition.
With the competition kicking off on Tuesday, Lee said it is a great experience to be in the RDS participating in the WorldSkills competition.
“I’m up against some of the best young welders in the country and hoping to do well,” he said.
Speaking to the Donegal News, ETB Senior Welding Instructor and WorldSkills Ireland Welding Expert, Cathal McGee said there is stiff competition this year with some great competitors.
“They’re all under pressure to get their modules completed within the allocated timeframe and this is added to by the thousands of spectators watching them as they compete.
“However, it’s a great display of Irish skills and is a testament to the volunteering spirit of all the skills experts who have trained the young people to compete at this level, both nationally and internationally and also to WordsSkills Ireland for organising an event of this size.
“This year’s Donegal representatives are performing very well under the microscope of the thousands watching them. The competition is tight but they’re enjoying the experience and the challenge,” he said.
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