Business

Northern Ireland quartet head to the Skills Olympics in Kazan

Northern Ireland competitors (from left) Curtis Johnston, Conor McKevitt, Declan Porter and Shea McFerran head to Russia later in the month as part of the Team UK in the Skills Olympics. Photo: Aaron McCracken
Northern Ireland competitors (from left) Curtis Johnston, Conor McKevitt, Declan Porter and Shea McFerran head to Russia later in the month as part of the Team UK in the Skills Olympics. Photo: Aaron McCracken Northern Ireland competitors (from left) Curtis Johnston, Conor McKevitt, Declan Porter and Shea McFerran head to Russia later in the month as part of the Team UK in the Skills Olympics. Photo: Aaron McCracken

FOUR Northern Ireland apprentices will compete in the 45th international WorldSkills competition (known as the Skills Olympics) in the Russian city of Kazan from August 22-27.

Conor McKevitt, Curtis Johnston, Declan Porter and Shea McFerran make up the 37-strong Team UK, competing in an event which will attract 100,000 visitors.

The student quartet will compete in the fields of automotive refinishing, plastering and drywall systems, automotive technology and landscape gardening, and represent their respective trainers Riverpark, South Eastern Regional College, North West Regional College and CAFRE.

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.

Economy Department 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'm 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."

He added: “Skills competitions such as these are an excellent opportunity for us to benchmark the professional and technical skills of our competitors with those from around the world.

“I encourage anyone who has seen what these young people have achieved, and believe they have what it takes to compete in future skills competitions, to visit the WorldSkills UK page www.worldskillsuk.org for more information.

“For employers who wish to find out more about the range of programmes and assistance aimed at helping employees and future employees to develop their skills and their productivity, visit the Skills to Succeed website at www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/skills-succeed.”