About 40,000 students at WorldSkills Ireland event in Dublin
About 40,000 secondary school students from more than 300 schools attended WorldSkills Ireland 2026 at Dublin’s RDS Simmonscourt, a three-day event highlighting apprenticeships, training pathways. Career opportunities across sectors such as construction, engineering, hospitality, and digital technology.
What happened
WorldSkills Ireland 2026 took place from September 16 to 18 at Dublin’s RDS Simmonscourt. The event showcased 31 live national skills competitions with more than 160 participants, coupled with hands-on activities like ‘Try a Skill’ experiences. The gathering aims to promote apprenticeships and further education and training (FET) as viable career paths alongside traditional schooling.
Key facts
- Estimated attendees: about 40,000 students from over 300 schools.
- Participation: 31 live competitions in sectors including construction, manufacturing, engineering, automotive, creative arts, hospitality, tourism, and digital technology.
- Additional activities: visitors can try skills hands-on, meet employers, and learn about apprenticeship and FET pathways.
- Context: event aligns with a rising trend in apprenticeships in Ireland; as of mid-September, there were about 31,169 registered apprentices across 17 sectors.
Who is affected
Secondary school students are the primary participants and beneficiaries, along with apprentices, employers, and education providers who attend to recruit, mentor, or showcase programs. The event informs families and educators about practical routes into skilled trades and technology professions.
Practical next steps
- Students and parents: explore apprenticeship options and FET programs highlighted at or after the event, and ask schools about local pathways.
- Educators and employers: connect with local training providers to expand placement and mentoring opportunities.
- General public: consider attending future WorldSkills or similar careers fairs to learn about hands-on training opportunities in skilled trades and technology.
Limits and questions
The provided material does not specify long-term outcomes, participant demographics beyond school counts, or post-event impact on apprenticeship numbers. Readers may wish to consult official WorldSkills Ireland communications or follow-up reports for updated statistics on registrations and program uptake.
Which sources did Setup in Bahrain review?
Setup in Bahrain reviewed the following source material before preparing this explanatory article.
The links remain visible so readers can inspect the evidence, compare dates and context, and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority.
- businessplus.ie — evidence source reviewed for this article.
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