DIT hosts Ireland Skills National Competition

The annual Ireland Skills National Competition is taking place this week, 5th – 8th December in various locations, including Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT).

Paul Flynn, GAA football star and former DIT plumbing apprentice student with student competitors at the launch of the Ireland Skills National Competition in DIT Grangegorman

The competition, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is one of the most prestigious events in the crafts calendar. It attracts the best trainee crafts persons from around the country to compete for first place in Ireland.

The opening ceremony for the competition was held on Monday 5 December in St Laurence’s Church, DIT Grangegorman. All 60 student competitors were in attendance. Paul Flynn, four-time GAA All-Ireland football winner and a former DIT Plumbing apprentice student, spoke to the competitors about the mind-set they need to have to handle the pressure over the three days of the competition. Professor Brian Norton, President of DIT was also in attendance.

The winners will be honoured at a ceremony on Friday 9 December in Croke Park, and will receive the coveted Department of Education and Skills, Silver Medal in their respective areas in a separate ceremony in 2017. A number of this year's winners may go on to represent Ireland in the World Skills Competition which will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in October 2017.

The skills being showcased this year include:

Aircraft Maintenance Aviation Technology Centre – Dublin Airport            

Auto Body Repair - Bolton St Campus, Beresford St          

Bricklaying - Bolton St Campus, Linenhall              

Cabinet Making - Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute        

Car Painting - Bolton St Campus, Beresford St     

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics - Bolton St Campus, Beresford St          

Plumbing - Bolton St Campus, Linenhall 

Polymechanic Automation - Bolton St Campus, Bolton St

Sheetmetal Work - Bolton St Campus, Linenhall 

Visual Merchandising - Grangegorman Campus 

Welding - Bolton St Campus, Linenhall   

Visitors are welcome to attend on the following dates/times:

• Tuesday 06 December: 2pm – 5.30 pm
• Wednesday 07 December: 8.30 am to 1 pm; 2pm to 5.30 pm
• Thursday 08 December: 8.30 am to 11.30 am

DIT students are well represented in the competitions and we wish all competitors the very best of luck!

Professor Brian Norton, President of DIT with student competitors at the launch of the Ireland Skills National Competition in DIT Grangegorman

Student competitors attend the launch of the Ireland Skills National Competition in St Laurence's Church, DIT Grangegorman