News

WorldSkills 2019

Four talented Northern Ireland competitors are competing international WorldSkills competition being held in the Russian city of Kazan.

WorldSkills is the largest international vocational skills competition with more than 70 countries and regions competing in 56 disciplines in a variety of skills areas including Engineering, Hospitality, Professional Services, Construction and Information Technology.

SERC Level 3 Plastering student Curtis Johnston makes up one quarter of Northern Ireland's competitors along with teammates Conor McKevitt, Declan Porter and Shea McFerran. They are currently in  Russia later to compete as part of the Team UK. The delegation is made up of 37 of the very best apprentices and students from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The WorldSkills Finals in Russia are the 45th in WorldSkills history and are expected to attract over 100,000 visitors. During the last Finals in 2017, which took place in Abu Dhabi, Team UK secured a top ten position.

For the first time in the 66-year history of the WorldSkills Competition, the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be broadcast live on TV in the UK.  Tune into Showcase TV (Sky 192, Freesat 161) on:

• 22 August (5:00pm, BST) to catch the excitement of the Opening Ceremony
• 27 August (5:00pm BST) to join in the celebrations from the Closing Ceremony.

Department for the Economy, Permanent Secretary, Noel Lavery said:

“Making it onto the UK Team is the culmination of all the hard work, dedication, commitment and technical ability displayed by our four competitors. They should be extremely proud of their efforts and are a credit to their colleges and training providers.  I am delighted that Northern Ireland is being represented by such talent. I wish each of them every success as they embark upon this exciting journey and I look forward to following their progress.’’

Pictured are: David Cooper, Barry Neilson CITB NI, Conor McKevitt and Maurice Johnston CITB NI Chairman.